State unveils Sh5 trillion infrastructure plan, JKIA upgrade and new airport to start in January 2026
The project is expected to boost air transport capacity, support industrial growth and anchor complementary investments in rail and energy infrastructure.
Kenya will begin the modernisation of JKIA and the construction of a new airport from January 2026 as part of a wider infrastructure and industrialisation drive under the government’s Sh5 trillion national transformation plan.
The project is expected to boost air transport capacity, support industrial growth and anchor complementary investments in rail and energy infrastructure.
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Speaking on Tuesday during the contract signing ceremony for the Matuga Clinker Line, President William Ruto said the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the construction of a new airport will commence next year, describing aviation infrastructure as a key pillar in the country’s push to industrialise and reduce reliance on debt.
He said the airport projects are embedded within a broad national strategy focused on logistics, transport, energy and irrigation.
“That particular construction of the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway is going to begin in January. That will also include the modernisation of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” Ruto said.
He added that plans for a new airport have already been finalised to allow implementation to move forward without delays.
“I want everybody to know that the expansion and the development of a new airport is also going to happen next year. We already have consolidated the framework that is going to allow us to do that,” the President said.
Ruto said the airport developments form part of a Sh5 trillion national transformation plan aimed at accelerating industrialisation, improving productivity and supporting long-term economic growth.
“We are going to have Sh5 trillion investment in logistics, transport, energy and irrigation,” he said.
He placed the infrastructure push within what he described as an even broader national ambition to reposition Kenya as a first-world economy driven by value addition, innovation and industrial depth.
“Allow me to situate today’s context within a broader 6 trillion bold national ambition to take Kenya to a first-world economy, which we have unveiled as a pathway to achieving Kenya’s economic freedom,” Ruto said.
The Head of State said modernising JKIA will improve passenger experience, enhance cargo handling capacity and support growing demand in air travel, trade and tourism. He noted that the construction of a new airport will ease congestion and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional and international logistics hub, given the country’s strategic location.
According to Ruto, the aviation projects are not standalone investments but are designed to work alongside expanded rail and energy infrastructure to unlock industrial growth.
He said the government is simultaneously pursuing an aggressive expansion of the energy sector to ensure that large infrastructure projects and industries are supported by reliable and affordable power.
President Ruto said Kenya’s current electricity generation capacity stands at about 3,300 megawatts and must be scaled up significantly to meet the demands of industrialisation.
Ruto said the government is targeting an increase in generation capacity to at least 10,000 megawatts within seven years, by 2032.
“We have to expand our generation of energy because, at the moment, we are living on the edge. These investments have a clear objective to position Kenya firmly on the trajectory to a fast world economic status driven by productivity, innovation and industrial depth,” he said.
The President reiterated that energy expansion is a non-negotiable foundation for industrial growth, transport development and economic transformation.
“We have to expand our generation of energy because, at the moment, we are living on the edge. It cannot be possible for us to industrialise if we don’t have sufficient, reliable, affordable energy,” Ruto said.
He emphasised that the infrastructure investments are guided by a clear economic purpose.
“These investments have a clear objective to position Kenya firmly on the trajectory to a fast world economic status driven by productivity, innovation and industrial depth,” he added.
Ruto called on Kenyans to support the government’s development agenda, saying national unity and collective effort are essential to achieving the country’s long-term goals.
“We have to expand the generation of energy. That’s where I want the country to move together and to achieve,” he said.
The President reiterated that the planned investments in airports, rail, energy and other critical infrastructure are intended to transform Kenya into a productive, industrialised economy that creates jobs, attracts investment and improves livelihoods.
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