According to court documents, the company clarified that no lease has been signed, and the project is still in its early stages, awaiting approval.
Adani Airports explained that their interest in JKIA began after seeing media reports about the airport’s declining state. This inspired them to propose a plan to modernize the airport and turn it into a hub that could benefit Kenya’s economy and boost national pride.
In March 2024, the company developed a privately initiated proposal (PIP) that was submitted to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). The plan focuses on improving several key areas of the airport's infrastructure to increase its capacity and efficiency.
Despite the project being at the proposal stage, it has faced legal challenges. Both the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have filed cases against the project, arguing that the potential takeover is controversial. They raised concerns about the transparency of the deal and its impact on Kenyans.
Adani, in response, argued that these cases are premature because the project is still undergoing review and due diligence. The company claims that much of the information presented in the lawsuits is inaccurate and misrepresents the current status of the project.
In their proposal, Adani outlined detailed plans to revitalize JKIA by addressing four major areas of the airport. The first is building a new terminal to accommodate more passengers and upgrading the existing terminal buildings to increase capacity.
Secondly, the company plans to improve the airside pavement works, which includes constructing new taxiways and upgrading other infrastructure necessary for the modernization of the airport. The overall goal is to enhance JKIA’s functionality and make it more efficient for both passengers and airlines.
Adani emphasized that the proposal has already passed its initial stages. After submitting the PIP, the company paid a required $50,000 review fee to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) facilitation fund. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed receipt of the proposal and has cleared it to proceed to the feasibility study phase.
The feasibility study is a critical part of the process as it examines the project’s financial, environmental, and social impact. According to Adani, the study will demonstrate how the project will offer value for money to the Kenyan public, create job opportunities, and enhance the status of JKIA.
The company remains confident that, if approved, the project will provide both skilled and professional job opportunities for Kenyans while transforming JKIA into a key international airport.
Adani has asked the courts to allow the PIP process to continue and to strike out the case filed by the LSK. The company argues that the court does not have the authority to hear this case, as any issues arising from the PIP should be handled by the Public-Private Partnership Petition Committee.
Patni, who is the authorized signatory for Adani Airports, stressed that the court should allow the project to go through its proper channels before any legal actions are taken.
Adani Airports is a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, which is known for its large-scale infrastructure projects globally. They remain hopeful that the review process will be completed smoothly, allowing them to proceed with their plans to modernize JKIA.
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