Kenyan Government Rejects Reports Linking Chivayo To Airport Tender

The Kenyan government has dismissed reports that a company linked to Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has been awarded a multi-billion-dollar contract to upgrade Nairobi’s main airport.

Kenya’s Transport Minister, Davis Chirchir, said Chivayo’s company, IMC Construction, has no involvement in the project and is not associated with any of the firms that submitted bids. He also stressed that no contract has yet been awarded.

The clarification follows reports claiming that IMC Construction was part of a consortium that had secured a US$2.9 billion (KSh375 billion) tender to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya’s busiest airport.

Kenyan authorities have rejected those claims, saying the airport expansion project is expected to cost no more than KSh154.2 billion (about US$1.2 billion), far less than the figure reported in some media outlets.

The government said the project will be financed largely through loans from development finance institutions.

“The Government has taken note with serious concern of reports appearing in sections of the media, particularly in the Standard newspaper,” said Chirchir.

“Media houses owe Kenyans a higher duty of care not to intentionally or by carelessness misinform Kenyans.

“We wish to clarify that the company referred to in those reports did not participate in this procurement process as a bidder and has no role, involvement or association whatsoever with this project.

“They also are not part and parcel of the contractors who submitted bids to this tender.

“Furthermore, all contractors were required to submit a legally binding disclosure of all parties in joint ventures and in none of them is the said entity a part of.

“We therefore urge the public to rely on official Government communication and verified information.

“In the same spirit, we further caution the media against publishing such unverified information and invite them to retract their false reporting.

“The Government remains fully committed to delivering this landmark project in a transparent, competitive and accountable manner, ensuring value for public investment while positioning Kenya to remain the premier aviation hub of East Africa for generations to come.”