Kenya denies awarding $1.2-billion contract to Chivayo

The Kenyan government has dismissed reports linking a company associated with controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo to the planned expansion of Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), insisting that the firm neither participated in nor won the multi-billion-dollar tender.

The denial follows reports in sections of the Zimbabwean media, including state-owned publications, claiming that IMC Construction, a company linked to Chivayo, was part of a consortium awarded a contract reportedly worth US$2.9 billion (KSh375 billion) to expand Kenya's busiest airport.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Kenya's Transport Cabinet Secretary, Davis Chirchir, said the reports were false and misleading.

"The government has taken note with serious concern reports appearing in sections of the media," Chirchir said.

"We wish to clarify that the company referred to in those reports (IMC Construction) did not participate in this procurement process as a bidder and has no role, involvement or association whatsoever with this project. They also are not part and parcel of the contractors who submitted bids to this tender."

The minister added that all bidders were required to disclose the identities of every participant in their joint ventures and that IMC Construction did not appear in any of the submissions received.

Kenya also disputed claims regarding the project's value, stating that the expansion programme would cost a maximum of KSh154.2 billion (approximately US$1.2 billion), significantly less than the figures reported in Zimbabwean media.

According to Chirchir, the project will be financed largely through loans from development finance institutions and will focus on expanding JKIA's passenger handling capacity from 7.5 million passengers annually to 22 million.

The planned works include construction of a new passenger terminal, rehabilitation of existing terminal facilities and upgrades to airfield infrastructure.

"This will include an upgrade and expansion of the existing terminal buildings, rehabilitation of the existing airfield, and a construction of new green field terminal facilities, airfield infrastructure, aircraft aprons, taxiways, utility networks, access roads, aviation systems, operational support facilities and all associated infrastructure required for a modern international airport," Chirchir said.

The Kenyan government has not yet publicly disclosed the identity of the successful contractor or consortium selected for the project.

President William Ruto recently indicated that construction work at JKIA is expected to commence in July, nearly two years after the cancellation of an earlier airport expansion deal involving India's Adani Group following public protests and controversy.

The reports linking Chivayo to the project emerged shortly after his recent visit to Kenya, during which he met President Ruto at State House in Nairobi.

Zimbabwean media reports had alleged that a joint venture involving IMC Construction and a subsidiary of [China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) had secured the contract. However, Kenyan authorities have categorically rejected those claims.

Chivayo remains one of Zimbabwe's most controversial businessmen. Over the years, he has been associated with a number of high-profile government contracts, particularly in the energy sector, through companies including IMC Construction and Intratrek Zimbabwe.

His business career has attracted both praise and criticism. Supporters describe him as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, while critics have questioned the circumstances surrounding some of the lucrative contracts awarded to his companies.

Chivayo has consistently denied allegations of wrongdoing and maintains that his business activities are legitimate.

In Zimbabwe, companies linked to him have secured several major infrastructure and energy contracts, including projects involving solar power generation, hydroelectric development and power station upgrades.

For now, Kenya's government insists that IMC Construction has no involvement in the JKIA expansion project and has urged media organisations to verify information before publishing reports on the tender process.