By Joshua Otieno | March 4, 2026
The Ministry of Roads and Transport has announced the issuance of a tender for the construction of a new passenger terminal and upgrading of existing facilities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), as part of a comprehensive plan to expand capacity and modernise Kenya’s primary aviation gateway.
In a media brief, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir said JKIA, which serves as a regional aviation hub and key base for Kenya Airways, is currently experiencing significant congestion during peak hours.
The airport handled approximately 8.93 million passengers in 2025, exceeding its designed capacity of 7.5 million passengers annually. Air cargo volumes are projected to more than double from 407,214 tonnes in 2025 to 860,400 tonnes by 2045, while passenger numbers are expected to rise to 22.31 million over the same period.
Phased Development Approach
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) concluded an Integrated Master Plan and Feasibility Study in February 2026, identifying a phased development strategy to address both immediate and long-term needs.
In the short term, upgrades will include:
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Rehabilitation of the existing runway;
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Construction of a partial parallel taxiway and rapid exit taxiways to improve airfield efficiency;
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Reconfiguration and selective expansion of current terminal facilities;
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Modernisation of passenger processing systems, including check-in, security screening, immigration and baggage handling;
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Optimisation of vehicle parking and landside access.
New Terminal and Expanded Infrastructure
To meet long-term demand, the project will also deliver:
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A new passenger terminal with capacity for an additional 10 million passengers annually, with room for future expansion;
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Expanded taxiways, aprons and aircraft support facilities;
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Upgraded air traffic control, firefighting stations, cargo, maintenance and fuel facilities;
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Improved access roads and new parking infrastructure.
Airport City and Special Economic Zone
Beyond aviation infrastructure, KAA plans to develop an Airport City and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) around JKIA to position it as a fully integrated aviation-led economic hub.
The SEZ will target high-value, export-oriented industries such as air cargo logistics, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, light manufacturing and e-commerce fulfilment. The Airport City will incorporate business parks, corporate offices, hotels, convention centres and mixed-use developments.
The Government said the integrated project will generate employment, attract foreign and domestic investment, diversify national revenues and strengthen Kenya’s status as a regional trade and aviation hub in line with Kenya Vision 2030.
CS Chirchir affirmed that the expansion of JKIA is a strategic national initiative and pledged transparent implementation of the project, with continuous updates to stakeholders and the public as it progresses.
