National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) deal involving the government and Indian conglomerate Adani Group to upgrade the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), citing that the project must be done.

Speaking during the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) exhibition, CS Mbadi emphasised that PPP deals aid the government to complete or renovate mega projects by involving the private sector.

He clarified that such projects are not funded through the exchequer hence ease the burden on the taxpayers.

"We must look for alternative financing and therefore PPP, new as it is, we must make the citizens of Kenya understand PPP and understand that when we give out a project to be done through PPP it is not selling," the CS said.

"It is about concessioning a project to a private developer who works with us collaboratively to ensure we have infrastructure that is competitive."

He further referenced the airport situation in the country, citing that JKIA is in a degraded state due to poor infrastructure.

The CS noted that JKIA, the busiest airport in East Africa, cannot lose its competitive edge to other neighbouring countries.

Data from the Airports Council International (ACI) showed JKIA among the top 10 busiest airports at 6.56 million visitors in 2022. 

According to the CS, PPP deals will be vital for JKIA to be upgraded to international standards. He called on Kenyans to embrace PPP projects regardless of the private investor involved.

"Rwanda has developed a serious airport, Ethiopia has an airport. Kenya cannot lag behind. We're losing our competitiveness as a hub," Mbadi remarked. 

"Therefore whether it is Adani or not, we must agree that someone must do our airports. It is not just airports alone, major projects. Let us not shy away from engaging Kenyans."

Adani, an Indian conglomerate, has fronted a Ksh.238 billion deal to take over operations at JKIA for 30 years before returning it to the government. The public has, however, criticised the deal, questioning its opaque nature. 

In response, the government has clarified that the deal is still in the auditing stage and no agreement has been signed.