The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has dismissed reports linking India’s Adani Group to the planned modernisation and expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, KAA clarified that the Indian conglomerate has no role in the multi-billion-shilling project, following the cancellation of an earlier Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) in 2024. Acting KAA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohamud Gedi said reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate.
“KAA wishes to clarify reports published in one of today’s newspapers regarding the alleged involvement of the Adani Group in the modernisation and expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” Dr. Gedi said. “The JKIA modernisation and expansion programme is a Government of Kenya-funded initiative and is being implemented in line with established public-sector policies and procedures.”
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, noting that the project will be financed by the government in accordance with the law and that stakeholders will be kept informed as implementation progresses.
The clarification follows media reports claiming that efforts were underway to reintroduce the controversial Indian billionaire Gautam Adani into the JKIA redevelopment, despite the earlier cancellation of proposed deals. The reports alleged that State agencies could be exploring legal avenues to quietly revive the Adani Group’s involvement.
In 2024, President William Ruto publicly directed the Ministries of Transport and Energy to terminate proposed Adani-linked infrastructure deals in both the aviation and energy sectors after widespread public opposition. The President cited credible information and international investigations, including United States charges alleging that Gautam Adani paid billions of shillings in bribes to secure solar energy contracts in India.
“At the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take action,” President Ruto said at the time, ordering the immediate cancellation of the JKIA expansion Public-Private Partnership process and the KETRACO transmission line deal.
KAA’s latest statement underscores that the JKIA expansion remains firmly under government control, with no private re-entry by previously cancelled partners, as Kenya pushes ahead with plans to modernise its busiest international airport.
