Published: February 26, 2026 | Courtesy: Kenya Airports Authority (KAA)
NAIROBI – The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has taken a significant step toward transforming Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) into a world-class aviation hub, with management today holding a staff consultative forum on the ambitious JKIA Master Plan (2025–2045) and the accompanying roadmap for capacity enhancement and modernization.
🤝 Staff Engagement at Core of Planning
Under the leadership of Acting Managing Director Dr. Mohamud Gedi, the forum brought together staff from:
KAA Head Office
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Wilson Airport
The internal consultation forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure staff input shapes the long-term modernization of Kenya’s main international gateway.
📊 Capacity Expansion: By the Numbers
During the engagement, Dr. Gedi outlined a transformative expansion plan that will dramatically increase JKIA’s passenger handling capacity:
| Phase | Current Capacity | New Capacity | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Terminal Optimization | 7.5 million | 12 million | +4.5 million |
| New Terminal (Phase One) | – | 10 million | – |
| New Terminal (Phase Two) | – | 5 million | – |
| TOTAL CAPACITY | 7.5 million | 27 million | +19.5 million |
Phased Implementation:
Immediate Priority: Optimization of the current JKIA terminal to increase capacity from 7.5 million to 12 million passengers annually.
New Terminal Development: A state-of-the-art terminal with total capacity of 15 million passengers, to be delivered in two phases:
Phase One: 10-million-passenger capacity terminal
Phase Two: Additional 5-million-passenger capacity
💰 Government Funding Commitment
Staff were informed that the ambitious projects will be financed by the Government of Kenya, reaffirming the national commitment to strengthening aviation infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth.
🌍 Strategic Impact
Once completed, the JKIA transformation is expected to deliver far-reaching benefits:
| Impact Area | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Regional Aviation Hub | Strengthen Kenya’s position as East Africa’s premier aviation gateway |
| 🧳 Passenger Experience | Reduced congestion, modern facilities, seamless travel |
| 🌐 Air Connectivity | Increased route networks and airline partnerships |
| 🏨 Tourism Growth | Enhanced capacity to welcome international visitors |
| 📦 Trade Facilitation | Improved cargo handling and logistics |
| 💼 Employment Creation | Thousands of direct and indirect jobs during and after construction |
| 📈 Economic Growth | Stimulus aligned with Kenya’s long-term development agenda |
👥 Staff Welfare & Operational Excellence
Beyond infrastructure, the forum addressed critical operational and human resource matters:
Staff Welfare: Open discussions on employee concerns and well-being
Operational Efficiency: Strategies to enhance day-to-day performance
Organizational Effectiveness: Streamlining processes for better outcomes
Service Delivery: Commitment to excellence in customer experience
The engagement provided staff with an opportunity to raise day-to-day operational concerns, reflecting a shared commitment to continuous improvement and elevated performance across the Authority.
🤝 Stakeholder Consultations Ongoing
Further engagements have been held with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) , with additional consultations scheduled in the coming days with:
Airline operators
Ground handling agents
Government agencies
Industry partners
Other key stakeholders
These collaborative discussions ensure that the transformation roadmap benefits from diverse perspectives and expertise.
📢 Official Statement
“The projects will be financed by the Government of Kenya, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening national aviation infrastructure.”
“Once completed, the projects are expected to significantly enhance Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub by improving passenger experience, increasing air connectivity, supporting tourism and trade, creating employment opportunities, and stimulating broader economic growth.”
— Dr. Mohamud Gedi
Ag. Managing Director / CEO
Kenya Airports Authority
🔮 Looking Ahead
The JKIA Master Plan (2025–2045) represents a bold vision for Kenya’s aviation future. With capacity set to nearly triple, JKIA will be better positioned to:
Handle projected passenger growth for decades to come
Compete with leading airports across Africa and the Middle East
Support Kenya’s aspirations as a regional economic powerhouse
Deliver world-class experiences to millions of travelers annually
🚗 Your Ground Transport Partner During JKIA’s Transformation
As JKIA embarks on this exciting transformation journey, Afrivibe Rentals remains your trusted partner for seamless ground transport at Kisumu International Airport and across Western Kenya.
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Kenya’s aviation future is bright. We’ll get you there.