The Kenyan government says it hasn't awarded the JKIA modernisation contract to Wicknell Chivayo's company. But the Sh154 billion price tag attached to the project has left many scratching their heads.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on Thursday told the National Assembly's Transport Committee that IMC Construction Kenya wasn't the preferred bidder. He said the government was still evaluating proposals from several firms.
Chivayo, a Zimbabwean businessman known for his flashy lifestyle and past run-ins with the law, has been linked to the deal through his company IMC Construction Kenya. The firm was reportedly one of the bidders for the lucrative contract to expand and upgrade Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The Sh154 billion figure — roughly equivalent to Kenya's entire annual health budget — was mentioned by Chirchir during the committee session. He didn't explain how that number was arrived at or whether it covered the full scope of the project.
JKIA is East Africa's busiest airport, handling over 8 million passengers a year. It's been in dire need of expansion for years, with the current terminal struggling to cope with growing traffic. Successive governments have promised to upgrade it, but the plans have always stalled.
Chivayo's name first surfaced in connection with the JKIA deal in local media reports earlier this month. The reports claimed IMC Construction had been awarded the contract, sparking outrage among Kenyans who questioned the government's due diligence.
The businessman has a controversial track record. In Zimbabwe, he was awarded a $200 million power station contract in 2015 but delivered little. He was also linked to the 'Command Agriculture' scandal, where millions of dollars meant for farming inputs allegedly disappeared.
Chirchir's denial hasn't completely silenced the critics. Many are asking why the government even entertained a bid from a firm with such baggage. Others want to know who the other bidders are and why the project cost is so high.
The Transport CS has promised to provide a detailed breakdown of the evaluation process. But with the government's history of opaque procurement deals, Kenyans aren't holding their breath.
But the denial itself has raised fresh questions. If the contract wasn't awarded, why was the Sh154 billion figure mentioned? And why did it take a parliamentary inquiry for the government to clarify its position?
For now, the JKIA expansion remains in limbo. The airport continues to operate beyond capacity, with travellers often complaining about long queues and delays. And the Chivayo saga has left many wondering if the government is serious about fixing the country's infrastructure — or just creating more confusion.