AIRPORT LAND SCANDAL: KAA Acting CEO Bodo Under Fire Over Malindi Airport Land Allocation

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Acting CEO Nicholas Bodo faced intense questioning yesterday as parliamentary watchdogs demanded answers over the mysterious disappearance of vital land documents and alleged irregular allocation of public land at Malindi Airport to private entities.

The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee grilled KAA officials during a heated session on Tuesday regarding the stalled expansion of the strategic coastal airport, with lawmakers describing the situation as “misleading” and “disingenuous.”

Missing Documents Halt Development

At the center of the controversy is approximately 100 acres of land designated for the expansion of Malindi Airport, which is currently occupied by a church and a jet fuel storage facility despite KAA claiming ownership of the property.

“We possess a valid title deed for the disputed land,” Bodo insisted during the tense parliamentary session.

His assertion, however, was met with skepticism from committee members who questioned how KAA could claim ownership while failing to exercise control over the property or provide crucial documentation regarding the agreements with current occupants.

Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge raised serious concerns about potential financial irregularities, suggesting KAA might have deliberately manipulated records to obscure the true ownership arrangement of the valuable airport land.

“How can you claim to own land that is currently occupied by private entities without your authorization?” one lawmaker demanded, highlighting the contradiction in KAA’s position.

The committee expressed frustration over KAA’s inability to present critical records or explain the financial details of any concession agreements with the current occupants.

24-Hour Ultimatum

Following the unsatisfactory responses from KAA officials, the committee issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum requiring the Authority to submit:

– The original 1996 title deed for the disputed land
– Comprehensive documentation of all agreements with the jet fuel depot occupying part of the property
– Full disclosure of financial arrangements related to the land

“Persistent inaction on this matter will be considered institutional failure,” the committee warned, signaling potential consequences for KAA leadership.

The land dispute has effectively paralyzed planned expansion efforts at Malindi Airport, a facility considered crucial for boosting tourism and economic development in Kenya’s coastal region.

The airport’s expansion would significantly enhance the region’s connectivity and tourism potential, making the resolution of this land issue a matter of national economic interest.