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Kenya ,November 05, 2026 - Kenya Airports Authority has approved its buying plan for the 2026/27 financial year on the government’s online procurement system. The move could give businesses an early look at airport tenders before they are advertised.
Kenya Airports Authority, or KAA, runs major airports including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Its Managing Director and CEO, Moses Wekesa, approved the Annual Procurement Plan on the e-GP system.
An Annual Procurement Plan is a list of what a government body expects to buy in a financial year. It may include building works, security services, cleaning, computers, equipment, repairs and consultancy services.
The e-GP system is Kenya’s online platform for public buying. It allows government bodies to publish tenders, receive bids and manage contracts digitally. The National Treasury says the system is meant to make public procurement more open, fair and efficient.
For suppliers, this is important. A small cleaning company, ICT firm or construction business can check what KAA plans to buy. They can prepare documents early and watch for tenders that match their skills.
Imagine a young entrepreneur in Machakos who runs a security firm. If KAA plans to hire security services, the entrepreneur can prepare a bid instead of hearing about the opportunity after it closes.
But approval is only the first step. An approved plan does not mean a contract has been given. KAA must still publish each tender, receive bids, evaluate them, choose a winner and sign a contract. Payment comes later, after work or goods are delivered.
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The public information provided does not show KAA’s largest planned purchases, their values or the procurement methods it will use. It also does not show how much of the plan is set aside for youth-owned businesses, persons with disabilities or companies based in particular counties.
Kenya’s procurement rules require public bodies to plan their spending. The e-GP system also requires public institutions to reserve part of their procurement for groups that often struggle to win government contracts. These include young people, persons with disabilities and local businesses in different counties.
Still, digital systems do not remove every problem. Small firms may struggle with bid security, complex documents, high registration costs or delayed payments. A tender may also demand experience or equipment that only large companies have.
The real test will be whether the system is open in practice. Suppliers will want to see tender documents, results and contract awards. Taxpayers will want to know that KAA is buying what it needs at a fair price.
Kenyans should watch for individual KAA tenders, contract awards and reports on how much work goes to youth, disability-owned and county-based businesses. They should also watch for supplier complaints, payment delays and any audit review.
If the plan leads to fair tenders and timely payments, it could open doors for many businesses. If it remains only a digital list, the promised opportunities may not reach the people who need them most.