The Indian firm Adani Group recently revealed that its proposal to partner with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) for the expansion and operation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was cleared in a notably short span of 17 days.

The proposal, submitted under Kenya’s Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Act, aims for a 30-year lease agreement involving a major upgrade of JKIA’s infrastructure. The deal has sparked controversy, with civil society groups and unions expressing concerns about transparency, potential job losses, and the public value of the agreement.

Despite this swift approval process, the proposal is currently facing legal challenges. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have secured a court order blocking any implementation until a judicial review is completed.

They argue that Kenya could raise funds for the upgrade without ceding control of such a critical national asset.The proposal includes a multi-phase plan to modernize JKIA, including new terminal buildings and upgrades to the runway, taxiways, and other facilities.