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President William Ruto addressed circulating rumors about the potential sale of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a recent town hall meeting in Mombasa.
The President firmly denied these claims, stating that there is no intention to sell this vital national asset. Instead, he highlighted the government's plan to seek partnerships to modernize the airport.
President Ruto began his address by acknowledging the rumors and expressing his concern about the misinformation spreading among Kenyans.
He emphasized that the government's goal is to improve JKIA, not to sell it. According to Ruto, the current facilities at JKIA are outdated and inadequate to meet the growing demands of air travel in the region.
"Let's be honest, Kenyans, the airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas. This is a temporary structure we built almost seven years ago," Ruto explained.
He pointed out that neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda have significantly upgraded their airports, making it necessary for Kenya to follow suit to remain competitive.
President Ruto stressed the importance of modernizing JKIA to ensure it serves Kenyans better.
He noted that the existing structures at the airport have outlived their usefulness and cannot handle the increasing passenger and cargo traffic efficiently. To address this, the government is looking to partner with private investors through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
The PPP model, Ruto explained, allows the government to collaborate with private entities to fund and implement large-scale infrastructure projects.
This approach has been successful in many countries, leading to significant improvements in their airports. By adopting this model, Kenya aims to bring JKIA up to modern standards without compromising its status as a strategic national asset.
Throughout his speech, President Ruto repeatedly urged Kenyans not to fall for the misleading reports suggesting the sale of JKIA.
He emphasized that such claims are nothing more than propaganda intended to create unnecessary fear and confusion. The President assured the public that the government is committed to transparency and accountability throughout the modernization process.
"I have seen many people saying William Ruto wants to sell the airport. Am I a madman? How do you sell a strategic national asset? You have to be insane. The airport is a strategic national asset. We want to work under the PPP Program to make the airport better," Ruto stated emphatically.
To further illustrate the benefits of the PPP model, President Ruto cited examples from other countries that have successfully used this approach to upgrade their airports.
He mentioned that many nations have made tremendous progress in developing their airport infrastructure through partnerships with private investors. These collaborations have resulted in modern, efficient airports that enhance the travel experience for passengers and boost economic growth.
Ruto also pointed out that Kenya is currently lagging behind in terms of airport modernization.
"We are ten years behind in modernizing our airports. We need to work with investors to improve our airports. Airports are strategic government assets," he said.
By working with private partners, Kenya can catch up and provide better services to its citizens and visitors.
One of the key concerns among Kenyans regarding the PPP initiative is the potential for corruption and lack of transparency.
President Ruto addressed these concerns head-on, assuring the public that the government will maintain an open and transparent process throughout the partnership.
He promised that all details of the PPP agreements would be shared with the public in a clear and accountable manner.
"Once the PPP is in place, Kenyans will be kept abreast with the details in an open, transparent, and accountable manner," Ruto said.
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