Kaluma blames demos over stalled JKIA upgrade

Ascah Mwango 12th July, 2025 10:54 AM

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has criticised the delay in upgrading Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), even as neighbouring Ethiopia moves ahead with massive airport infrastructure projects.

In a statement shared on Saturday, July 12, 2025, via his X account, Kaluma expressed frustration over unnecessary interference with efforts to modernise JKIA through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

He expressed concern over what he termed as deliberate interference with efforts to modernise JKIA through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Kaluma noted that while Ethiopia is already expanding Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and constructing a new, larger facility in Bishoftu under a PPP model, Kenya continues to face unnecessary hurdles in implementing similar initiatives.

“At Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Waah! And Ethiopia is building a bigger international airport at Bishoftu through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement!” Kaluma posted.

“In Kenya, any attempt to rebuild Jomo Kenyatta International Airport through Public-Private Partnerships is thwarted by commercial activists through demonstrations led by street urchins, famed ‘legends’!”

A post shared by Peter Kaluma on his X account on Saturday, July 12, 2025. PHOTO/Screengrab by K24 Digital from @gpdkaluma

Adani deal

Kaluma’s remarks came in response to the prolonged stalling of the Adani-led PPP deal, which was initially aimed at modernising Kenya’s busiest airport. The deal was officially cancelled last year by President William Ruto during his State of the Nation address on November 21, 2024.

“I have directed agencies within the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement,” Ruto declared.

This announcement came shortly after the founder of India’s Adani Group was indicted by U.S. authorities for reportedly paying approximately US $265 million (KSh 34.5 billion) in bribes to Indian government officials.

The Kenyan government said the decision to pull out of the deal was meant to uphold the country’s commitment to integrity and transparency.

In the same speech, President Ruto also cancelled a separate US$736 million (Ksh95.7 billion) power-transmission PPP, instructing the relevant ministries to halt both agreements. His move was met with applause in Parliament, showing strong cross-party support for the cancellation in light of the corruption allegations surrounding the foreign investor.