Adani deal to shield JKIA from frequent embarrassments - gov't spokesperson Mwaura

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has defended the government's deal with Indian firm Adani Group on the refurbishment and expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Mwaura argued that contrary to popular claims, the deal presents an avenue to develop the airport and rid it of frequent embarrassments caused by leaking roofs and so forth.

"83 per cent of all the airport operations in the country are handled at JKIA. Over 8.6million people have been coming to the country via the airport, a number that exceeds its capacity of 7.2million," noted Mr Mwaura adding that the deal will also help the airport sort out the mess with leaking roofs, the runway and many other gaps that need to be filled to grow its status.

He added that the government is heavily in debt and cannot borrow more hence the decision to opt for alternative sources of project funding in a win-win situation that allows the country to grow.

"We are a government, and as such we cannot relinquish any of our airports. The law has allowed the government to enter into a Private Partnership arrangement with the firm that will finance, expand and use the resources available for some time before leaving the airport in the hands of the Kenya Airports Authority," he said in a press briefing at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).

An earlier expansion tender granted to two Chinese contractors to build the second terminal known as the Green Field Terminal in 2014 was cancelled in March 2016.

In the proposed deal that has sparked public uproar, Adani seeks to take over JKIA for 30 years in a plan that includes changing aviation laws and policies to limit competition and maximize profits.

The deal has sparked protests by Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) members, who are employed by the KAA.

The workers say the deal has been done in secrecy and risks having them lose their jobs or have them reapply through the new investor.