Blaming political manoeuvring for the collapse of the deal under which the Adani Group would carry out the expansion of, and manage, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has warned that the city now risks becoming dormant while other countries could become regional hubs in Africa.
Speaking during the Third National Executive Retreat, also attended by Kenyan President William Ruto, in Nairobi's suburb of Karen on Friday, Mr Odinga, who is a leader of the Orange Democractic Movement (ODM), said the first expansion contract for JKIA was awarded while he was the prime minister, but was cancelled after the coalition government led by him left office. The same contractor was given the contract again, but it was cancelled a second time.
"We had awarded the Greenfield airport contract before we left government with Mwai Kibaki in 2012. That contract was cancelled, then it was given to the same contractor but then again cancelled because of disagreements. When we brought in Adani, they (referring to his political opponents) brought politics and the contract was cancelled," Mr Odinga said.
"I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract, that was very unfortunate," he added.
Pointing out that Kenya is fortunate to be strategically located and could become a big hub, Mr Odinga said Nairobi could become dormant if the expansion is not done.
"Look at Addis Ababa, it's growing and now they are putting up a new big airport. So Addis Ababa will be the new hub around. Ethiopian Airlines is now the dominant airline on the continent. Kenya Airways can do the same. Kenya Airways can be the carrier on the continent, but we are not doing it, we need to find a way. Look at Emirates, people there do not look at the airline for profits, it is basically a vehicle bringing investors, shoppers and tourists to the Emirates," he said.
Reiterating his point and warning that Nairobi was missing out on an opportunity, he added, "Put up a big airport in Nairobi. If you don't do it, Rwanda is going to do it and Kigali will become the hub around here. You can do it in Nairobi and it will become the Dubai of Africa."
