Doha, Qatar – President William Ruto has revealed plans to build a new airport at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
This followed Ruto’s meeting with the Qatari Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at the sideline of the United Nations Social Development Summit in Doha.
Speaking during a meeting with the Kenyan diaspora community in Doha, the head of state confirmed that the meeting focused on key infrastructure development, like the airport.
How much does Kenya seek from Qatar for airport?
The president noted that the construction and upgrade of the airport requires an investment of about KSh 200 billion, which he has tabled in the talks with the Qatari government.
He also highlighted other development agendas in the conversation, including the management of the newly signed Kenya Airways-Qatar Airways partnership to enhance connectivity, trade, and tourism.
“We need to build a new airport. I had a conversation with the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani… and we have put on the table what we are going to do with our airport, Kenya Airways and all the other things. The kind of investment we need on our airport is possibly around KSh 200 billion,” said Ruto.
Other development agenda factored in the discussion between Ruto and Thani include agriculture, infrastructure, and financial partnerships, to drive economic growth and unlock new opportunities.
“Qatar’s support for our mega-dam programme will be central to enhancing food security and bringing nearly two million acres under irrigation.
“We are also strengthening cooperation through the upcoming establishment of Kenya’s Sovereign Wealth Fund and National Infrastructure Fund, which will mobilise capital for transformative national projects,” he added.
How govt supports Kenyans abroad
Meanwhile, the president assured Kenyans living and working abroad of the government’s commitment to support them.
“We have streamlined diaspora services, reducing passport processing time from three months to just three days for those with job offers, and we are facilitating their travel to take up these opportunities.
“To safeguard Kenyan workers, more than 600 rogue labour agencies have been deregistered, and deployment is now limited to countries with formal bilateral labour agreements,” he added.
He noted that the government is pursuing new agreements to secure skilled and professional job opportunities for Kenyans abroad, enabling our youth to access better-paying roles, gain advanced skills, and bring valuable experience back home.
To enhance diaspora remittances, the president revealed that the state is exploring ways to make it cheaper and easier for Kenyans to send money home.
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