Mombasa County Governor Abdullswamad Nassir has called on the national government to urgently reconsider the redevelopment of Moi International Airport, saying the facility has been neglected despite its strategic importance to the Coast and the wider region.
Nassir said in an opinion shared on Tuesday that Kenya risks falling behind regional competitors if the country continued to rely on outdated airport infrastructure while rival countries invest heavily in modern aviation hubs to attract airlines, cargo business, and tourists.
He argued that Moi International Airport should be treated as a national economic asset, not a secondary facility, noting that its proximity to the Port of Mombasa gives it a unique advantage as a combined passenger, cargo, and logistics gateway.
The governor proposed a structured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as the most viable option to modernise the airport, citing the need for private capital, technical expertise, and operational efficiency.
According to Nassir, redeveloping the airport will go a long way towards improving passenger experience, security systems, baggage handling, and airside efficiency to meet international standards.
He said an upgraded Moi International Airport could, at the same time, boost tourism on the Kenyan Coast by attracting more direct international flights, supporting beach tourism, and cruise travel.
The Governor also highlighted cargo and trade opportunities, arguing that modern cold-chain and perishable export facilities would strengthen Kenya's logistics sector and support businesses that rely on fast access to international markets.
However, he stressed that any PPP arrangement must be anchored in transparency and public interest, with competitive tendering, clear disclosure of terms, and strong regulatory oversight to prevent exploitation.
The governor insisted that the airport must remain a Kenyan public asset, with private partners only involved in building and operating it for a defined period under strict performance and service standards.
"Critically, we must design the PPP to protect the public interest. That means competitive tendering, transparent disclosure of key terms, independent technical and financial due diligence, and strong regulatory oversight that prevents monopoly pricing and guarantees service quality," the governor said.
Nassir said a deliberate focus on redeveloping Moi International Airport would position Mombasa as a complementary hub to Nairobi, strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness, and unlock new jobs and economic opportunities at the Coast.
His comments come at a time when the national government is seeking funds and investors to redevelop Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to position it as a top regional aviation hub.
According to the state, the redevelopment of JKIA would increase its capacity from the current 8.8 million passengers annually to 10 million, aiming to match the capacity of major airports like Dubai International Airport.
