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President William Ruto and his Cabinet have okayed the plan to upgrade key infrastructure at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

In a despatch from Cabinet on Tuesday, June 11, the Cabinet Secretaries and the Head of State gave the green light for the rehabilitation of JKIA to match internationally recognised standards.

Among the key upgrading areas in the Medium-Term Investment Plan include revamping the passenger terminal. The passenger terminal at the JKIA has attracted wide criticism, especially during the rainy season.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen attributed the JKIA leakage to the ongoing construction works at the facility. Murkomen detailed that the workers who were putting up the new arrival terminal tampered with some pipes resulting in the leakage.

However, in the new despatch, the Cabinet has vowed to fix the issue.

Other approved upgrades

The Cabinet has also approved the rehabilitation of the runway to meet international standards. The runway has also been closed on several occasions causing global concerns.

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, the runway was temporarily closed after a plane incident. It was however reopened after the aircraft was removed from the runway.

According to the Medium-Term Investment Plan, other facilities within JKIA premises will be upgraded.

“The meeting also considered and approved the JKIA Medium Term Investment Plan that includes the upgrade of the passenger terminal, runway, taxiway, apron and airside facilities in keeping with the global aviation trends,” the despatch from Cabinet read in part.

Promoting tourism

To strengthen the linkages between tourism and aviation, and to further cement Nairobi’s position as an aviation hub, the Cabinet considered and approved the National Aviation Policy. The despatch explained that the policy seeks to maximise the contribution of the aviation sector to Kenya’s growth by enhancing connectivity at both the national and international levels.

“Cabinet noted the aviation ecosystem in Kenya is robust but pointed out that it was imperative to enhance the capacity of Kenya’s international airports to meet existing and projected demand which is estimated to rise to 42.1 million passengers a year by 2050,” the despatch added.

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