CS Mbadi Defends JKIA PPP Deal: ‘Adani or Not, Someone Must Upgrade Our Airports!’.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the controversial Public Private Partnerships (PPP) deal with the Indian conglomerate Adani Group aimed at upgrading the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), asserting that the project is essential.
Speaking at the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) exhibition, CS Mbadi emphasized the role of PPPs in enabling the government to complete or renovate major projects by partnering with the private sector. He clarified that these projects are not funded through taxpayer money, thus easing the financial burden on citizens.
“We must seek alternative financing. PPPs, though relatively new, require public understanding. When we outsource a project to a PPP, it is not a sale,” he explained. “It’s about concessioning to a private developer who collaborates with us to ensure we have competitive infrastructure.”
Highlighting the urgent need for improvement, he pointed out that JKIA, the busiest airport in East Africa, is in a deteriorated state due to inadequate infrastructure. The CS noted that Kenya cannot afford to lose its competitive edge to neighboring countries.
According to data from Airports Council International (ACI), JKIA was among the top 10 busiest airports in 2022, serving 6.56 million visitors.
Mbadi stressed that PPPs are crucial for upgrading JKIA to international standards, urging Kenyans to support these initiatives, irrespective of the private investors involved. “Rwanda has developed a robust airport; Ethiopia has an airport. Kenya must not fall behind. We are losing our competitiveness as a regional hub,” he asserted.
“Whether it’s Adani or another investor, we must recognize that someone must undertake the upgrade of our airports. This applies not just to airports, but to other major projects as well. Let’s engage constructively with Kenyans,” he added.
The Adani Group has proposed a Ksh. 238 billion deal to manage JKIA operations for 30 years before returning it to the government. However, the public has raised concerns about the deal’s transparency.
In response to these concerns, the government clarified that the deal is still undergoing an auditing process, and no formal agreement has been signed yet.
Conclusion:
This version enhances readability and ensures a more engaging flow while maintaining the essential details. It also uses quotes effectively to convey key points from CS Mbadi and concludes with a note on the government’s response to public concerns.
Article By Suzy Nyongesa.
