Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged Kenyans to back the Adani Group’s takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), calling it one of the best deals for the country.
In a statement on Sunday, Raila
emphasized the urgent need for Kenya to upgrade its infrastructure, which includes
critical sectors like transportation, energy, and digital connectivity.
He acknowledged that the nation
faces a significant financial challenge, as traditional revenue sources such as
taxation and borrowing from international institutions have become less
favorable among citizens grappling with a high cost of living and existing debt
burdens.
Specifically, Odinga pointed out
the pressing need to modernize Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),
which has been operating beyond its capacity, handling 8.5 million passengers
last year.
“Again, in the last Financial
Year, JKIA handled 8.5 million passengers, meaning it has already optimized its
passenger capacity.
“Its runway that is designed for 35 movements per hour is
already doing 21 movements and is set to operate at full capacity by 2028, four
years from now.
“Time is definitely running out for the overhaul, modernization, and expansion of JKIA,” read the statement by Odinga in part.
The Kenyan DAILY POST