Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi has been called out over his remarks on the fate of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka in a statement on Wednesday July 24, 2024, called out PCS Musalia, accusing him of “calling lawmakers liars” when he appeared before the National Assembly Budget Committee.
This came after the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) earlier confirmed that it received an investment proposal from Adani Airport Holdings to repair and build a new terminal at JKIA subject to due process.
“The Kenya Airports Authority confirms that there is a deal between them and Adani Group. Prime CS Mudavadi called us liars on this issue when he appeared before the NA Budget Committee! I asked for the signed agreements!” said Onyonka.
Senator Onyonka further said that he would be asking for the signed agreements later on Wednesday afternoon in the Senate.
Mudavadi Addresses Reports of JKIA being sold
The senator was reacting to Mudavadi’s remarks when he addressed the reports about JKIA being sold.
Also Read: Govt Clears Air on Controversial JKIA Deal with Indian Company
Mudavadi was speaking on Monday before the Parliamentary Committee on Budget when he clarified that the airport is not for sale.
“Let me discount immediately that the airport, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is not on sale. This is a public asset; it is a strategic asset,” Mudavadi stated.
Further, the PCS highlighted that if indeed the airport was on sale, the sale could only be done after a full public process endorsed by Parliament.
Musalia at the same time acknowledged the need for modernization at JKIA, mentioning previous plans for a new terminal that never materialized due to contractual and litigation issues.
“You remember there was a greenfield terminal, but it never took off. The contractual engagement had its challenges. Yeah. There was litigation, it stalled,” he noted.
KAA Clarifies on the Claims
Senator Onyonka was dissatisfied with the PCS’s remarks after the Kenya Airports Authority issued a statement on the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport concession proposal.
Also Read: Mudavadi Addresses Reports of JKIA Being Sold
In a statement on Wednesday, July 24, KAA acting managing director Henry Ogoye confirmed that the KAA has received an investment proposal under the Public Private Partnerships (PPP0 Act 2021) from Adani Airport Holdings Limited.
The authority stated that Adani is an Indian Group and a key airport operator, which wishes to invest in a runway, a new passenger terminal building, and refurbishment of the existing facilities at JKIA.
However, Ogoye said the proposal will be subjected to technical, financial and legal reviews alongside requisite due processes in compliance with the PPP Act 2021.
“The Project Agreement will be preceded by Stakeholder Engagement, the National Treasury approval, the Attorney General clearance and the Cabinet approval,” he said.
The acting MD further assured the staff that no jobs were at risk in relation to the proposal.
“I also wish to assure the airport business community and operators that the expanded facility will create additional business opportunities and attendant benefits,” he added.
This comes days after Senator Onyonka called on the Senate Standing Committee on Transport to investigate the alleged leasing of JKIA.
He called for the provision of the meeting notice, agenda, minutes, and resolutions to understand the decisions made by the board and the rationale behind leasing public land to Adani for further development.
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