“I did not sell JKIA!” Kipchumba Murkomen Issues Clarity on Govt JKIA Deal With Adani

“I did not sell JKIA!” Kipchumba Murkomen Issues Clarity on Govt JKIA Deal With Adani

Sports Cabinet Secretary nominee Kipchumba Murkomen clarified the government’s deal with Indian multinational conglomerate Adani International on Saturday.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments, Murkomen dismissed claims that the government planned to sell the main airport.

Murkomen, the former Transport Minister, explained that the government entered a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Adani for airport repair works, emphasizing he did so on behalf of the government and not personally.

He assured the public that he did not and could not enter into any PPP as an individual, nor had he sold the airport.

Murkomen emphasized the importance of public engagement in PPP processes to avoid public uproar.

He mentioned that the private agreement with Adani was not the first, citing the construction of the expressway through a similar agreement with a Chinese company.

Murkomen stressed the need for public understanding of the PPP process, as highlighted by the president and the prime cabinet secretary.

He explained that before Adani’s approval, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) conducted a preliminary assessment of the company’s viability.

ALSO READ:

• Raila Ally Breaks Silence After Ruto-Uhuru Meeting
• Gachagua Close Ally Karungo Wa Thang’wa Accepts Ruto’s CBS Award
• Gov’t to Release Ksh.32 Billion to Counties Next Week – DP Kindiki
• High Court Strikes Down Ruto-Raila 2023 IEBC Amendment Bill
• Kenya Water Towers Agency Dissolved: Government Moves to Streamline State Corporations

Murkomen clarified that the process then moves to the PPP committee in the treasury, but it had not reached that stage yet.

While addressing the committee, Murkomen expressed his commitment to transforming the sports sector in Kenya.

He vowed to make changes within the Kenya Football Federation, requiring those who have served for more than eight years to step down.

Murkomen stated that federations not adhering to the Sports Act or conducting elections would not receive financing.

He pledged to work with content creators for self-regulation and revenue generation, market Kenya as a film destination to create jobs, and establish a regulatory framework for the creative sector.

If confirmed, Murkomen promised to advance the Youth Development Bill 2023, Creative Economy Bill, Creative Economy Policy, and National Youth Council (Amendment) Bill to empower the youth.

He also committed to integrating county government roles into the Sports Act for shared responsibility between national and county governments.

“I did not sell JKIA!” Kipchumba Murkomen Issues Clarity on Govt JKIA Deal With Adani