President William Ruto has announced that Kenya will have a brand-new airport in Nairobi within the next 18 months, promising to transform the country’s aviation infrastructure and improve its international standing.
Speaking during the 2026 Industrialisation Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, November 4, the Head of State maintained that construction of the new airport was already underway, following the government’s reorganisation of the project after the controversial Adani Group proposal was cancelled.
“Already, the airport in Nairobi is under construction. Remember, there was a small challenge with the noise around Adani and others, but we’ve since reorganised, and now the airport is under construction. In another 18 months, you will have a new airport,” Ruto said.
The President’s announcement signals renewed momentum in the government’s plans to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya’s main international aviation gateway, which has faced growing concerns over ageing infrastructure, passenger congestion and inadequate facilities.
