Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has dismissed claims that the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will cost Ksh375 billion, insisting that the actual project value is significantly lower.
Speaking before the Senate on Wednesday, June 17, Mbadi told lawmakers that the government’s current estimate for the airport modernisation project stands at approximately Ksh155 billion, contradicting reports that have circulated in recent months.
Addressing concerns raised by Senator Richard Onyonka, the CS stated that figures suggesting the project would cost about $2.9 billion were inaccurate. According to Mbadi, the amount under consideration is closer to $1.2 billion, which translates to roughly half the figure being reported publicly.
He cautioned legislators and members of the public against relying on unverified reports, arguing that some media coverage has presented misleading information regarding the scale and cost of the project.
Mbadi further assured senators that the JKIA expansion would not place additional pressure on Kenya’s public debt. He explained that the project is expected to be financed through the proposed National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), a mechanism designed to support major infrastructure investments without increasing the country’s borrowing burden.
The Treasury CS’s remarks come amid growing debate over the airport expansion programme, following reports that the project could cost up to Ksh375 billion and that China Communications Construction Company had secured a substantial role in the tender process.
Despite the public interest surrounding the project, the government has yet to disclose detailed information on the financing model, procurement arrangements, and final project budget for the planned upgrade of Kenya’s busiest airport.
According to available reports, the JKIA redevelopment will be implemented under a 20-year master plan extending to 2045. The strategy outlines phased infrastructure improvements, long-term capital investment requirements, and financial sustainability projections aimed at transforming the airport into a regional aviation hub.
The latest clarification follows earlier remarks by President William Ruto, who announced in March that construction works would commence in June 2026 after the government secured initial funding for the National Infrastructure Fund.
The President revealed that Ksh20 billion from the planned privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) would be allocated as seed capital for the project. The funds are expected to support the first phase of the expansion of the 68-year-old airport, which has faced increasing pressure from rising passenger numbers and growing demand for modern aviation infrastructure.