President William Ruto on Tuesday chaired a Special Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, where the Cabinet approved the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and endorsed extensive reforms to enhance the passenger experience at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The government aims to streamline airport operations, boost security, and expedite clearance processes at Kenya’s busiest airport.
“At the meeting, Cabinet also endorsed a comprehensive plan to enhance passenger experience at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by streamlining operations and bolstering security,” read the Cabinet Despatch.
Key Reforms and Policy Changes
- Intra-African Travel Simplified: African citizens will now be exempt from Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements, easing travel across the continent.
- Increased Duty-Free Threshold: Kenyan travellers bringing goods into the country will benefit from a raised duty-free limit, increased from Sh50,000 to Sh250,000.
- Faster Security Clearance: Risk-based profiling will be implemented to reduce delays at security checkpoints, with only flagged baggage undergoing manual inspection in a dedicated screening room.
- Enhanced Immigration Services: The number of immigration booths and officers will be doubled, and the introduction of E-Gates will eliminate long queues and speed up passenger clearance.
- Improved Accountability for Staff: New monitoring technology will be deployed, and all agency workers and retail concessionaires will be required to wear mandatory uniforms with visible name tags.
- Major Infrastructure Upgrades: JKIA will undergo extensive upgrades, including modernised baggage handling systems, improved stormwater drainage and access roads, installation of covered walkways, enhanced air conditioning, and clearer signage for better navigation.
- Regulated ‘Meet-and-Greet’ Services: To improve security and order, only licensed facilitators will be allowed to operate within the airport.
These reforms, which take immediate effect, are expected to strengthen JKIA’s position as a key aviation hub, enhancing efficiency, security, and the overall passenger experience.
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