Court Gives KAA 14 Days to Respond Over Alleged Illegal JKIA “Meet and Assist” Contracts

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has 14 days to respond to a petition over “meet and assist” contracts at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Nairobi resident Frederick Mulaa filed the petition through Advocate Quinter Oginga. He accuses KAA and a senior official of allowing two companies to provide the service despite previous court rulings disqualifying them.

Mulaa says KAA must follow procurement laws and uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability. He claims the authority ignored these rules and signed contracts that contradict earlier decisions by the High Court and the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board. KAA first advertised the service in 2021 under tender KAA/OT/JKIA/MBD/0042020-2021. One company was selected, but the High Court nullified the tender on March 18, 2021.

In 2024, KAA launched a second tender under KAA/RT/MBD/0207/2023-2024. One of the same companies bid again but was disqualified during the technical evaluation. The Review Board and High Court upheld the disqualification. Despite this, Mulaa says KAA allowed the firms to operate. He calls it an “illegal and corrupt” arrangement and says the authority ignored warnings.

Mulaa now seeks court orders to temporarily stop the companies from offering the service. He warns that continuing the operations undermines Articles 10 and 73 of the Constitution and Chapter Six on leadership and integrity.

The court has given KAA two weeks to respond. Experts say the case could set a major precedent on public procurement. They also note it highlights the need for transparency and accountability in government contracts. The nation now waits for KAA’s response, which will determine the next steps in this high-profile dispute.