TERESIA MBAIKA: CHAMPIONING JKIA MODERNIZATION TO ELEVATE KENYA'S AVIATION SECTOR

Championing JKIA Modernization to Elevate Kenya’s Aviation Sector.

 
Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has emerged as a key driver in Kenya’s efforts to transform the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) into a world-class aviation hub. Through strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and a clear vision for infrastructure upgrades, Mbaika is steering one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at unlocking the full potential of Kenya’s aviation industry. 

Leading the Charge for Modernization

In recent months, Mbaika has been at the forefront of advancing the JKIA modernization program. She has chaired high-level sessions with key stakeholders, including the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the National Treasury, and the Economic Council, to review progress on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) tender. As of early May 2026, the tender process was in its final stages, with expectations of conclusion soon after. 

Mbaika also led pre-bid sessions and site visits for international bidders, ensuring transparency and alignment on the project’s scope. This includes presentations of the JKIA Integrated Master Plan, which charts the airport’s development over the next 20+ years. The plan encompasses new terminal facilities, runway expansions, improved airfield capacity, upgraded communication-navigation-surveillance systems, and better passenger handling infrastructure. 

A notable aspect of her approach is the emphasis on local capacity building. Mbaika has actively called for the involvement of Kenyan engineers and professionals, collaborating with engineering bodies to strengthen domestic expertise, reduce costs, and foster skills transfer in aviation infrastructure projects. 

How JKIA Modernization Will Expand Kenya’s Aviation Sector

The modernization of JKIA is not merely an infrastructure upgrade it is a strategic catalyst for broader growth in Kenya’s aviation and aerospace sectors. Current constraints at JKIA, including limited passenger capacity and airfield efficiency, have capped its potential as a regional hub. The master plan addresses these head-on:

Increased Capacity: Plans include a new terminal expected to add significant passenger throughput (potentially handling millions more travelers annually) and a new runway by around 2029, boosting aircraft movements from the current ~14 per hour to up to 63. This will accommodate growing demand as passenger numbers rebound and tourism, business travel, and cargo operations expand. 

Enhanced Competitiveness: By aligning with global aviation standards, JKIA will better compete with regional rivals like Addis Ababa and Kigali. A modern facility will attract more international airlines, increase flight frequencies, and position Nairobi as a preferred transit and connectivity hub for East and Central Africa. 

Economic Multiplier Effects: Expanded aviation infrastructure supports job creation in construction, operations, tourism, logistics, and related industries. It facilitates trade, boosts cargo handling, and stimulates aerospace development areas under Mbaika’s portfolio. Improved connectivity strengthens Kenya’s role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and attracts foreign investment. 


Sustainability and Efficiency: Upgrades in systems and processes will improve operational resilience, passenger experience, security, and environmental performance, making the airport more attractive to global partners and aligning with long-term industry trends.

A Vision for the Future

Mbaika’s leadership reflects a broader government commitment to aviation as a pillar of economic transformation. By prioritizing timely execution, stakeholder collaboration, and local empowerment, she is helping ensure that JKIA’s modernization delivers tangible benefits from seamless travel experiences to strengthened national competitiveness. 

As the EPC tender advances and implementation begins, Teresia Mbaika’s proactive role underscores the critical link between visionary policy and on-the-ground progress. For Kenya, a modernized JKIA means more than just a better airport it signals a bold leap toward becoming Africa’s premier aviation powerhouse.

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