President William Ruto has announced plans to construct a new world-class airport in Kenya, a flagship infrastructure project aimed at boosting the country’s global competitiveness and accelerating economic transformation. The President made the announcement on Saturday while addressing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots leaders in Nyeri, framing the project as a decisive step to reposition Kenya as a leading regional hub for tourism, trade and investment.
According to President Ruto, construction of the new airport is expected to begin in April or early May this year, marking the end of years of delays and uncertainty surrounding the expansion of Kenya’s aviation infrastructure. He described the project as critical to unlocking economic growth, noting that modern and efficient transport systems are central to changing the country’s development trajectory.
The proposed airport is expected to significantly ease congestion at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which currently handles the bulk of Kenya’s international passenger and cargo traffic. By decongesting JKIA, the new facility will improve efficiency, reduce delays and enhance Kenya’s attractiveness as a preferred entry point into East and Central Africa.
From an economic standpoint, the airport is poised to open up new opportunities across multiple sectors. Improved air connectivity will make Kenya more accessible to global investors, stimulate tourism arrivals and strengthen the country’s role as a logistics and trade gateway. The government projects that the new facility will help increase passenger handling capacity from 88 million to 100 million, supporting long-term growth in aviation and allied industries.
President Ruto emphasized that modern air transport infrastructure is essential for the smooth movement of goods and people, particularly for high-value exports such as fresh produce, flowers and manufactured goods. Faster and more reliable cargo handling will enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in global markets, lower transaction costs for businesses and support job creation along the value chain.
The Head of State reiterated the importance of the project during a separate address to members of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Nairobi, assuring them that the new airport would support not only tourism but also broader commercial activities across the region. He acknowledged the community’s contributions to education and healthcare, describing them as key partners in Kenya’s growth and development agenda.
President Ruto further linked the airport project to his broader Sh5 trillion plan to transform Kenya into a first-world economy. He called for partnership and support from communities and investors to drive investments in infrastructure, energy generation and roads, arguing that projects such as the new airport are foundational to creating jobs, attracting capital and positioning Kenya as a competitive global economy.
