Members of Parliament have demanded greater involvement of local firms and professionals in the Ksh154 billion modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), calling on the Chinese contractor handling the project to demonstrate how Kenyans are benefiting from the construction works.
The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure visited the airport on Tuesday, November 10, where members met Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials and Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresiah Mbaika.
During the meeting, MPs questioned why the procurement process for the project was transferred from KAA to the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
They also called on China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the contractor undertaking the project, to provide evidence of local participation, warning against the practice of foreign companies sidelining Kenyan firms and professionals in major infrastructure projects.
"We have seen foreign companies coming here and registering companies as local to do work that should have been done by local companies. We want fairness. We need to see evidence to prove that you are engaging locals," stated Limuru MP John Kiragu, who is a member of the committee.
The committee also called on the main contractor to ensure that many Kenyans are involved in the execution of the project to help grow local capacity.
