Government Denies Sale of JKIA Amid Planned Protests

The government, through Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has responded to reports of an alleged sale of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

Mudavadi, in a session in parliament on Monday, July 22, denied that there was any plan to sell Kenya’s leading airport adding that any such move would require a full public process and parliamentary endorsement. 

The Prime CS, who is currently the acting Minister in all ministries - following the dissolution of Cabinet, added that there were plans to modernise JKIA through Private Public Partnerships (PPPs)

“This is a public asset, it is a strategic asset, and if it was going to be sold, you can only do it after a full public process that Parliament endorses. So anybody who is giving the impression that Jomo Kenyatta Airport has been sold is not being factual.

What we know, that is important, is that going forward, the Kenya Airports Authority must look at its investment program very carefully, make sure that everything is transparent so that during the expansion process of the second terminal, if it’s under the PPP arrangement, let it be done properly, thoroughly through the legal process so that everybody knows what is going on,” Mudavadi added.

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Protests Planned at JKIA

Demonstrators, under the hashtag #OccupyJKIA, have sought to pressure President William Ruto to address their demands by storming the international airport from Tuesday, July 23.

The protests are part of a broader wave of anti-government demonstrations sweeping across Kenya which started as a move to reject the Finance Bill 2024/25.

In anticipation, the National Police Service issued a warning against  those who were plan to access the airport, designated as a protected area under Kenyan law. 

Acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja stressed the importance of adhering to legal boundaries.

“The Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of Kenya prevents the entry of unauthorized persons into areas which have been declared to be protected areas... [They] include the LPG Plant, the Bitumen Plant, and Petroleum depots situated at the Embakasi Aviation Depot (JKIA),” Kanja said in a statement.

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Heightened Security and Travel Advisories

In response to the planned protests, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) announced increased security measures at JKIA, advising passengers to arrive early to accommodate longer security protocols.

 “Due to heightened security checks and protocols at JKIA, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early to avoid any potential delays in catching their flights. Kindly contact your respective airline for the latest flight information,” KAA said on its social media pages.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has also urged travelers to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled flights to avoid delays.

“Due to anticipated traffic disruptions on major roads leading to JKIA on Tuesday 23rd July 2024, customers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 4 hours before their scheduled flight departure time. Customers are also encouraged to plan extra time to avoid potential delays en route to the airport,” KQ stated.

Both KAA and KQ have expressed apologies for any inconvenience caused, with KQ emphasizing its commitment to passenger and crew safety. 

“We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and assure you that the safety and well-being of our crew and customers is our number one priority,” read the statement.

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