Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has revealed new details on the controversial deal between the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Adani Airport Holdings.
Onyonka has said that there could be more that what the public is informed about when it comes to the agreement that has caused uproar.
Additionally, he explained that in the deal Adani Airport Holdings is being charged not only to manage JKIA but also all other airstrips in the country.
“It is not only JKIA. It is that all the airstrips in the republic of Kenya are going to be manages by this company. There needed to have been public participation, stakeholders ought to have been called, and some Kenyans are going to lose their jobs,’ he said.
Also Read: Mudavadi Under Fire Over JKIA Remarks After KAA Clarification
Onyonka Challenges Ruto Over JKIA Deal
Consequently, Onyonka has put President William Ruto to task, asking him to make public the documents that have been used in the negotiations instead of hiding the details.
Additionally, he highlighted contradicting statements made by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) over the matter.
“All I am asking him to do is to inform his people to give us the documents at the senate. It will vindicate them if what they are saying is true.
“KAA admitted that there was such an agreement then why is Musalia Mudavadi saying that there is no contract or agreement over the sale of JKIA,” he questioned.
Further, the senator has highlighted that the airport is a matter of national security, and it should not be managed by any private entity whatsoever.
“And the parliamentary committee made a recommendation that there is nothing you can PPP with a national airstrip because it deals with matters of national security,” he added.
Earlier, KAA CEO stated that no employee would lose their jobs adding that they had received a proposal that will be subjected to technical, financial, and legal reviews, alongside requisite due processes in compliance with the Public Private Partnerships Act 2021.
“I wish to assure our staff that no jobs are at risk. I also wish to assure the airport business community and operators that the expanded facility will create additional business opportunities and attendant benefits,” KAA said.
Also Read: Govt Clears Air on Controversial JKIA Deal with Indian Company
Ruto Addresses Sale of JKIA
Speaking during a townhall meeting in Mombasa on Sunday, July 28, Ruto denied any reports of selling the airport.
According to him, JKIA was long overdue for an upgrade which could only be done under the Private Public Partnership (PPP).
This means, noted Ruto, that the government has to bring in the appropriate investor to improve the strategic national asset which Kenyans will enjoy.
“Let’s be honest Kenyans, the airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas in the middle of Nairobi. That is a temporary structure that we put up almost seven years ago. Ethiopia has a brand-new Airport; Rwanda has a brand-new airport.
“It is the reason why we need to work with investors to give us a brand-new airport in Nairobi. I hear people saying that I want to sell the airport. Am I a mad man. How can you sell a strategic national asset
“We must have the right investment for the airport. What we want to do is to work under the Private Public Partnership (PPP), which has the potential to bring in private sector money and blend it with public sector investment to bring in a win-win,” said Ruto.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
