Nairobi — Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has unveiled plans for a new terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to combat future flooding.

The move was prompted by recent water leakage and flooding in sections of the airport that is East Africa's main hub.

During his inspection of ongoing roof construction at terminals 1C and 1B on Tuesday, Murkomen emphasized the need for a long-term solution, announcing that the new terminal would be built through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

"The ministry, under President William Ruto's leadership, is working on constructing a new airport terminal through a PPP model," he stated, addressing the press.

Murkomen also announced the impending decommissioning of Terminal 1E, which will increase airport capacity. He emphasized the significance of the ongoing roof construction, aimed at resolving leakages onto Level 1 and preparing for the new terminal and lounges.

"To mitigate future flooding, the cabinet has passed a recommendation to formulate a master plan for the drainage system within the Nairobi Metropolis, which will be replicated nationwide and support water management in the next five decades," he added.

Murkomen urged the Kenya Aviation Authority to collaborate closely with JKIA stakeholders to develop a sustainable solution to eradicate flooding within the airport premises.

The move comes amid efforts to enhance infrastructure resilience and address the challenges posed by extreme weather events.