The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is now facing serious questions after reports emerged that it cannot trace important land records linked to the planned expansion of Malindi Airport. The missing documents have created confusion and blocked progress on a key infrastructure project meant to boost development in the coastal region.
This issue came to light during a sitting of the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Tuesday, May 13, where KAA officials were asked to explain how public land meant for the airport had ended up in private hands.
The matter got more serious when it was revealed that a section of the land set aside for the airport expansion is now occupied by a church and a private jet fuel depot. Members of Parliament wanted clear answers on how this happened and why KAA was unable to reclaim the land.
Lawmakers accused the Authority of poor management and lack of transparency after it failed to explain how over 100 acres of public land slipped through their fingers without proper approval or documentation.
KAA’s acting CEO, Nicholas Bodo, tried to defend the agency by saying that the Authority still holds a valid land title deed, even though the land is no longer under its control.
However, his response only raised more concerns. MPs openly questioned how KAA could claim ownership of land that is clearly in the hands of private groups. They said the situation made it look like KAA was misleading the public and trying to cover up serious failures.
To get to the bottom of the matter, lawmakers asked KAA to present any lease agreements or documentation showing that the land had officially been handed over to the church or the fuel company. But KAA was unable to show any such records.
This led to even sharper criticism from the committee, with MPs demanding full transparency. Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge even suggested that the Authority’s financial books might have been tampered with to hide the truth about who owns the land.In the end, the committee gave KAA a strict 24-hour deadline to provide the original 1996 title deed and full documentation on its dealings with the jet fuel depot.
Lawmakers warned that if KAA continued to avoid accountability, they would view it as a clear sign that the Authority lacks the ability to manage public property responsibly. This scandal has not only cast doubt on KAA’s operations but has also raised concerns about how government institutions handle vital assets that belong to the public.
