During the 30th Institution of Engineers of Kenya Convention and the 18th World Council of Engineers in Mombasa on November 15, 2023, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen disclosed plans for the construction of a new terminal to alleviate congestion at JKIA.
In an appearance before the Senate on Wednesday, Murkomen announced that the state is set to initiate the tender advertisement process on January 15, 2023.
"The government is in the process of working on a new Public Private Partnership (PPP) model of the new terminal that will be advertised on January 15, 2024," he said.
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The CS further stated that the government is hopeful that within six months, by June 2024, a contractor will be selected and commence construction works. This timeline aims to ensure the completion of a new terminal at JKIA within the next three years.
Former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Murkomen explained that resolving a stalemate between the Kenya Airport Authority and a Chinese company was a prerequisite for advancing the project.
Murkomen clarified that the Chinese company had initially been granted the tender to construct a new terminal in 2015, but the project never materialized.
"I report here today that we have resolved the issue and cleared all claims of 25 billion shillings. Now we are free to advertise for a new PPP for a contractor to build a terminal," he said.
Murkomen was addressing Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's inquiry about why passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport had to walk for meters and endure rain after disembarking from the plane.
The CS acknowledged the limitations of the international airport in accommodating all airlines and parking, highlighting the pressing need for the expedited establishment of a new terminal.
Murkomen also emphasized that the drop-off areas at the airport are determined by security plans within the facility, leading to situations where passengers may need to undergo extended walks.
"I’ve just landed at the airport with the President and just like any other passenger, we were dropped far from the terminal and we had to walk through rain. Nothing just changes because of the rains but plans are already in place for new terminal," he said.
JKIA stands as Kenya's primary airport and ranks among the busiest airports on the African continent. It serves as the base for the national flag carrier, Kenya Airways, along with other airlines such as Jambojet, Fly540, and African Express Airways.
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The construction of the terminal building at JKIA commenced on March 14, 1978, on the opposite side of the airport's single runway. The terminal was inaugurated by the founding father of the nation, the late President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Following President Kenyatta's passing on August 22, 1978, the airport underwent a renaming from Nairobi International Airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) comprises two primary terminals: Terminal One and Terminal Two.
Terminal 1 is organized in a semi-circular layout, further divided into distinct sections: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E.
Terminal 1A serves as the hub for international arrivals and departures facilitated by Kenya Airways and Sky Partners.
Terminals 1B and 1C are also designated for international departures.
Within Terminal 1 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Terminal 1D is designated for domestic arrivals and departures, while Terminal 1E is specifically for international arrivals.
Terminal 2 is primarily utilized by low-cost carriers.
The original terminal, situated on the north side of the runway, is employed by the Kenya Air Force and is colloquially known as Old Embakasi Airport.
In January 2021, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) initiated renovations for Terminals 1B and 1C at JKIA, aiming to transform them into state-of-the-art facilities.
China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CJIC) undertook the JKIA upgrade project at a cost of Sh963 million. The initiative focused on refurbishing the departure halls to enhance check-in processes, screening procedures, retail operations, and the overall traveler lounge experience.
The renovation of Terminal 1B and 1C aimed to align the traveler experience in these terminals with the standards set by Terminal 1A. The broader goal was to elevate customer satisfaction and position JKIA as the preferred aviation hub in East Africa.
In April 2015, Terminal 2 was inaugurated at JKIA at a cost of Sh1.7 billion by Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. This state-of-the-art prefabricated terminal expanded JKIA's capacity to accommodate 7.5 million passengers annually, addressing overcrowding concerns.
Terminal 2 features international and domestic check-in desks, boarding gates, and houses current lounges like the Mara Lounge and Mount Kenya Lounge on the airside, Level 1, both operating 24 hours a day. Covering an area of 10,000 square meters, Terminal 2 hosts airlines such as Fly 540, Sax, Jubba, and African Air Express.
Additionally, JKIA boasts five cargo facilities, including Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL), Transglobal Cargo Centre, Nairobi Cargo Centre, and Cargo Service Centre, with a combined annual cargo-handling capacity of 200,000 tonnes. The airport also houses an animal holding facility spanning 4,318.95 square feet.
