Faith Masita
A petition has been filed in court seeking to stop the planned expansion of Kenya’s main airport, with the petitioner questioning the legality, transparency and procurement process behind the multi-billion-shilling project.The case adds to growing scrutiny surrounding the proposed modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Court Challenge Targets JKIA Upgrade Project.
The petition, filed at the Milimani Law Courts, seeks to suspend and nullify all proceedings, agreements and approvals linked to the proposed JKIA expansion project, which has been reported to be worth up to KSh375 billion. The petitioner argues that the process should be subjected to greater public scrutiny and legal review before implementation proceeds.
The court action comes amid mounting concerns from various stakeholders over the airport modernization plan. Questions have been raised regarding procurement procedures, financing arrangements and whether the project fully complies with constitutional and public procurement requirements.
The expansion project is expected to significantly upgrade JKIA’s infrastructure and increase passenger handling capacity. Government officials have defended the modernization plans, saying the airport requires urgent upgrades to support Kenya’s growing aviation sector and maintain its position as a regional transport hub.
However, critics maintain that all contract details, financing structures and tendering processes should be made public to ensure transparency and value for taxpayers. The petition is expected to further intensify debate over one of the country’s largest proposed infrastructure projects as the matter heads to court.
