Mudavadi courts Chinese investors for JKIA expansion project
Mudavadi emphasized the need for a world-class airport to reinforce Kenya’s role as the premier gateway in the East African region.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, urged Chinese investors to consider spearheading the expansion and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a project left open after the withdrawal of the Adani Group.
Speaking during a meeting with representatives from the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), Mudavadi emphasized the need for a world-class airport to reinforce Kenya’s role as the premier gateway in the East African region.
The engagement came as President William Ruto arrived in China late on Tuesday for a state visit, underscoring the importance of deepening bilateral ties and attracting strategic infrastructure investment.
"Ahead of President Ruto’s state visit to China, I met with Raymond Luo, President of BUCG International, Harold Huang, General Manager of Marketing, and Wei Zhang, Vice President for Southeast Africa, to discuss their expertise in airport construction," Mudavadi stated.
"Kenya needs a modernised Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to strengthen its position as a leading hub for Eastern Africa and the continent at large."
Mudavadi expressed confidence in the firm's expertise, highlighting its impressive global track record in airport construction and renovation spanning over four decades.
"They shared valuable insights drawn from 42 years of experience in developing more than 30 airport terminals, runways, and specialized aviation infrastructure across the globe," he stated, adding that he had urged the group to formally express interest as Kenya gears up to invite bids for the JKIA expansion.
The talks follow President William Ruto’s decision, announced during his State of the Nation Address in November 2024, to terminate contracts awarded to the Adani Group for the JKIA expansion and powerline construction projects.
President Ruto's visit to China is expected to bolster diplomatic and economic relations, focusing on cooperation in manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, trade, security, agriculture, tourism, and education.