Pressure is mounting on the government to come clean on the status of a contract for the upgrade of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Amid disclosures that a Chinese firm will be leading the expansion, which has been shrouded in controversy, civil society groups, legislators and lawyers have raised concerns over the opacity in the procurement of the multi-billion-shilling contract and have threatened legal action to compel the government to disclose details.
Amid the uncertainty, NTV has established that the contract for the modernization and expansion has been awarded to a Chinese firm. Two sources within agencies charged with overseeing the airport upgrade procurement have revealed that the contract was awarded this month and is expected to be signed next week. However, it is still subject to a 14-day period during which aggrieved bidders may challenge the process legally.
The sources further disclosed that the project is expected to cost between Sh150 billion and Sh180 billion, depending on the exchange rate. Two Chinese companies, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Sinohydro, bid for the contract, but indications reportedly favoured CRBC, with the Ministry of Transport overseeing the procurement process.
Also read: Storm over secret Sh180bn JKIA deal
