Ruto Breaks Silence on JKIA Adani Deal
President William Ruto expressed his stance on the government’s decision to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Indian conglomerate Adani on Wednesday.
While speaking at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024 at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, the president emphasized the importance of renovating and expanding Kenya’s main airport to accommodate more visitors.
Ruto highlighted that the government’s plan to expand JKIA would enable it to welcome up to five million visitors annually by 2027.
Kenya’s position as a leading global tourist destination makes upgrading the airport an urgent priority, according to Ruto.
“We want to have five million tourists, which is why we need to expand our airport and related facilities since we are the world’s premier destination,” stated Ruto.
The president reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving the target of five million tourists by 2027.
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“By the end of 2023, Kenya welcomed over 2.3 million visitors, generating Ksh350 billion in revenue—proof of our global appeal. Our target is to reach 5 million annually by 2027,” the president stated.
“Achieving this target requires collaboration across all sectors to position Kenya as a top travel destination. Five million is within reach, and by the year’s end, we expect a record 2.5 million tourists.”
Ruto’s comments come amidst the government’s imminent decision to lease the main airport to Adani.
In March, Adani Group presented a proposal to manage JKIA, including investing Ksh238 billion to modernize it and recover the investment over 30 years.
However, details of the deal were leaked by a whistleblower, sparking public outcry among Kenyans and airport staff.
Subsequently, the High Court intervened, issuing a temporary order halting the proposed takeover.
Ruto Breaks Silence on JKIA Adani Deal