Appearing before the High Court, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) lawyer Benson Odiwuor told Justice Bahati Mwamuye that the earlier 30-year lease agreement had been formally cancelled.
The cancellation followed President William Ruto’s November 21, 2024 pledge to scrap the controversial arrangement after public outcry over transparency and sovereignty concerns.
However, the matter appears far from settled. The government is now seeking to initiate a new process that could potentially involve the same conglomerate.
Odiwuor urged the court to lift conservatory orders issued in November 2024, arguing that they are blocking any fresh redevelopment plans at the country’s main international gateway.
The original proposal, unveiled in March 2024, would have seen Adani invest over KSh230 billion to upgrade and manage JKIA for three decades. In return, the firm was to retain an 18 per cent stake in the airport’s aeronautical business and receive a concession fee starting at KSh6 billion, increasing by 10 per cent every five years.
The deal faced sharp criticism from sections of the public and lawmakers who questioned the procurement process and long-term implications for a key national asset.
Justice Mwamuye declined to lift the conservatory orders, directing the parties to expedite the case before a new judge on May 6, 2026.
The development signals that JKIA’s redevelopment remains a sensitive and closely watched issue, with legal and political considerations continuing to shape its future.