Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport, and Public Works has unveiled plans to build a new terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in three years.

Murkomen told the Senate plenary on Wednesday that the administration plans to start the tender procedure on January 15, 2024.

PHOTO | COURTESY Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen

The new terminal is part of a PPP concept, with the goal of having a fully operational facility within the next three years.

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"We are in the process of working on a new Public Private Partnerships (PPP) model of a new terminal that we should be advertising on January 15, 2024 and hopefully by June, we can get the relevant contractor so that in the next three years we have a completely new airport," he told reporters.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna expressed worry about travelers being dropped off far from airport terminals, particularly during the rainy season.

"I'd like the CS to explain the reasoning behind dropping passengers away from the terminal entrances during this time of year when it's raining." We've seen what other international airports look like; why can't we drop people off at terminal doors?" Sifuna posed for the camera.

PHOTO | COURTESY Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen

Murkomen noted that the international airport's current infrastructure constraints necessitate the construction of a new terminal.

"Our JKIA infrastructure is a bit constrained to accommodate all the airlines parking that we require, and that is an issue that is in regard to building a new terminal," said the airport's CEO.

This proposal is consistent with a previous declaration by the Kenya Airports Authority indicating a significant infrastructure revamp at JKIA.

PHOTO | COURTESY Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen

"To this end, the Government has commenced the process to address infrastructure development of the facility covering the expansion of the passenger terminal, runway capacity, and provision of additional aircraft parking bays beginning this financial year 2023/2024," the statement said.

The response followed public outrage triggered by a viral video showing roof leaks at the international airport in November.

Furthermore, a power loss during the same month drew attention, prompting KAA to tell the public that extra backup power would be synchronized within 30 days.