The government has defended the planned modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), dismissing reports that the project could cost up to KSh375 billion and insisting that the estimated budget currently stands between KSh154 billion and KSh156 billion.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Chirchir said the project remains firmly under the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), which is the implementing agency overseeing the redevelopment plan.

He stressed that the government remains committed to transforming JKIA into a modern aviation hub capable of handling increased passenger traffic and improving overall efficiency.

According to the ministry, the airport’s master plan was developed over a one-year period between February 2025 and February 2026, forming the basis of the ongoing modernisation programme.

The bidding process for the project closed on May 14, with officials maintaining that all stages of procurement and tendering were conducted transparently.

“We are yet to finalise details on the contract and no contract has been officially signed yet,” the CS said, adding that the process is still under evaluation.

The government estimates that JKIA’s passenger capacity will increase significantly from the current 7.5 million to about 12 million passengers annually, with a new terminal expected to handle up to 10 million passengers per year.

Chirchir further dismissed reports linking unnamed companies to the project, terming them false and misleading. He clarified that the firm being referenced in public discussions did not participate in the bidding process and is not among the contractors who submitted tenders.

The ministry reiterated that the modernisation plan is part of broader efforts to position Kenya as a leading aviation and logistics hub in the region, while ensuring value for money and transparency in public procurement.

The clarification comes amid public debate over the scale and cost of the JKIA expansion project, which remains one of the country’s most significant infrastructure undertakings.