Kenya: Engineers Call for Transparency, Inclusivity On JKIA's Proposed Lease to Adani

MelodyChironda/allAfrica
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
10 September 2024
Capital FM (Nairobi)
By Ken Muthomi

Nairobi — The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK has called out for more transparency and inclusivity on the proposed lease of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Jkia) to the Adani Airport Holdings Limited.

In a statement, IEK President Shammah Kiteme stated that a more participatory approach to the project will be fundamental in reinforcing public trust.

Kiteme has thus emphasised the need to conduct an open dialogue with all stakeholders, including local communities, engineers, and other relevant parties regarding the project.

"From the foregoing, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) advocates for a more inclusive and transparent approach to the modernization of JKIA and other airport facilities. We would like to emphasize the importance of local content and fair, competitive engagements in agreement with the law," IEK stated.

Adani is an Indian group and a key airport operator that is set to invest in a second runway and refurbishment of the existing facilities at JKIA.

IEK's statement comes days after Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) postponed its planned strike that was set to kick off on September 1, 2024, to review lease deal documents provided by the government regarding the deal.

The union had initially cited concerns over the government's adherence to legal requirements, particularly public participation, and the exclusion of KAWU members from discussions surrounding the leasing agreement.

"We have deliberated about the issue today and we resolve that we make a further delay for our strike action for seven days," said KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema.

Acknowledging the critical need to refurbish and upgrade the airport to keep up with the accelerating need for air travel in the country, IEK has stressed the need for the government to explore competitive bidding processes and partnerships that have proven effective in other African countries.

"Being the major airport in Kenya, JKIA needs to embrace healthy competition from other regional hubs. Additionally, for the airport to compete effectively with other regional air hubs such as Entebbe, Johannesburg, Cairo, Addis Ababa Kotoka International Airports (Accra), the current infrastructure needs to be modernized and expanded," it stated.

IEK has further stressed the need to integrate and prioritise local expertise and workforce to ensure that there is a transfer of knowledge and technology as well as capacity building and economic growth.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

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