Lebanese Firm wins consultancy role in Sh154.2billion JKIA expansion project

Lebanese engineering consultancy Dar Al-Handasah Consultants has been awarded the contract to provide design review, project management, contract administration and construction supervision services for the Sh154.2 billion Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) modernisation project, marking a major milestone in the government’s plan to transform Kenya’s main aviation gateway.

The appointment paves the way for the implementation of one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, which is expected to increase JKIA’s annual passenger handling capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million within 36 months.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the consultancy’s appointment signals the beginning of a critical implementation phase.

“Their expertise will be instrumental in delivering a modern, efficient, safe and sustainable airport that meets global standards,” Chirchir said.

He added that the investment would strengthen Kenya’s position as Africa’s premier aviation hub and regional air cargo centre while boosting trade, tourism, regional connectivity, economic growth and job creation.

The modernisation programme will be implemented in three phases. The first phase involves rehabilitation and resurfacing of the airport’s airfield over a period of 15 months. The second phase will expand and renovate the existing terminals within 18 months, increasing passenger capacity to 12 million annually.

The final phase will see the construction of a new passenger terminal capable of handling an additional 10 million passengers every year.

Funding for the project is being arranged by the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), with financing expected to rely largely on airport-generated revenues, complemented by support from development finance institutions and commercial lenders.

Dar Al-Handasah is a globally recognised multidisciplinary consultancy specialising in engineering, architecture, planning and project management. The Lebanon-registered firm operates regional headquarters in Beirut, Cairo, London, Pune in India and Amman, Jordan.

Its appointment follows the government’s signing of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) on June 23 to undertake the airport’s expansion and redevelopment works.

Tender documents released by the Ministry of Roads and Transport reveal that the consultancy contract attracted some of the strictest technical and financial qualification requirements ever imposed for a public infrastructure project in Kenya.

The State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development rejected repeated requests from prospective bidders to relax the eligibility criteria, insisting that only firms with proven experience supervising mega international airport projects would qualify.

Interested firms were required to demonstrate experience in at least two airport construction supervision contracts involving international airports in Sub-Saharan Africa or other developing countries, with each project valued at a minimum of US$2 billion (approximately Sh258.4 billion).

The ministry also declined requests to recognise experience from non-airport infrastructure projects or substitute construction supervision credentials with design consultancy, quality assurance, cost control or schedule management experience.

To secure maximum technical marks, bidders were required to demonstrate successful supervision of three qualifying airport projects.

Stringent requirements were equally applied to key personnel. The Project Design Director was required to possess at least 25 years’ engineering experience, including 15 years leading comparable international airport projects. Senior structural and electrical engineers were each required to have at least 15 years’ experience, with a minimum of 10 years working on major airport developments.

The government also maintained strict local compliance rules. All foreign firms were required to be legally registered to operate in Kenya before submitting bids and to provide valid Kenya Revenue Authority tax compliance certificates. Requests by international bidders to register locally after contract award were rejected.

In addition, bidders were required to submit a Sh30 million bid security issued by a Kenyan bank or an equivalent US$232,000 guarantee from a foreign bank, while tender-securing declarations were expressly disallowed.

The ministry also rejected appeals for additional time to prepare bids and establish local partnerships, maintaining the original submission deadline.

Defending the procurement process, Chirchir said the consultancy was selected through open international competitive bidding in full compliance with Kenya’s public procurement laws.

“This project is not merely about constructing a new terminal,” he said. “It involves a comprehensive overhaul of JKIA, including rehabilitation of the existing airfield, expansion and renovation of current terminals, and construction of a new passenger terminal and associated support facilities.”

Once completed, the project is expected to position JKIA among Africa’s leading aviation hubs and significantly enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in regional and international air transport.