The Kenya Airports Authority has been given 14 days to respond to a petition questioning the legality of contracts awarded for the “meet and assist” service at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The case was filed by Nairobi resident Frederick Mulaa through Advocate Quinter Oginga. He accuses KAA and one of its senior officials of allowing two companies to operate at JKIA despite earlier tender processes either disqualifying them or nullifying their bids.
Mulaa argues that KAA, as a public body, is bound by procurement laws and constitutional requirements of transparency and accountability. He says the contracts violate previous decisions by the High Court and the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
According to court documents, KAA first advertised for the service in 2021 under tender KAA/OT/JKIA/MBD/0042020-2021. Although a bidder had been selected, the High Court cancelled the entire process on March 18, 2021.
A second tender was issued in 2024 under KAA/RT/MBD/0207/2023-2024. One of the companies involved was again evaluated but was disqualified at the technical stage. That decision was upheld by both the Review Board and the High Court.
Despite this history, Mulaa claims KAA still contracted the same companies and allowed them to operate at JKIA. He calls it an “illegal and corrupt arrangement” that disregards procurement decisions and the Constitution.
He says KAA ignored notices pointing out the violations, forcing him to file the petition. He is now seeking conservatory orders to temporarily stop the companies from offering the service while the case is heard.
The petition warns that allowing the services to continue undermines Articles 10 and 73 of the Constitution and goes against Chapter Six on integrity and leadership.
The court has directed KAA and the other respondents to file their responses within 14 days. The matter will be mentioned again on December 17 for further directions.
