The Kenyan Government has dismissed reports that a company linked to controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has been awarded a major contract to expand Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The denial follows media reports in Zimbabwe claiming that Chivayo’s company, IMC Construction, was part of a consortium selected to undertake the airport’s expansion project.
In a statement on Thursday, June 18, Kenya’s Transport Minister, Davis Chirchir, said IMC Construction neither participated in the bidding process nor has any involvement in the project. “The company referred to in those reports did not participate in this procurement process as a bidder and has no role, involvement or association whatsoever with this project,” he said.
The Government also disputed claims that the project would cost 375 billion Kenyan shillings ($2.9 billion), stating instead that the planned expansion is estimated at a maximum of 154.2 billion shillings ($1.2 billion), largely financed through loans from development finance institutions.
According to Chirchir, the procurement process was conducted transparently, with bids invited between March and May 2026 and public consultations held from November 2025 to April 2026.
The project is expected to include the construction of a new passenger terminal, rehabilitation of existing terminals and airfield infrastructure, expansion of aircraft aprons and taxiways, and upgrades to aviation systems and support facilities.
Once completed, the expansion is expected to increase JKIA’s annual passenger handling capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million travellers. The controversy emerged after several Zimbabwean media outlets reported that IMC Construction had partnered with the state-owned Chinese firm China Communications Construction Company to secure the contract. Kenyan authorities have strongly rejected those claims.
Chivayo, who has been linked to several high-profile government contracts in Zimbabwe, has repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing and maintains that he is a legitimate businessman.
President William Ruto recently indicated that construction works on the airport expansion are expected to begin in July, nearly two years after Kenya cancelled an earlier airport development deal involving India’s Adani Group following public opposition.