A simmering tender conflict at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has boiled over into a full-blown legal and security crisis, casting a harsh spotlight on how Kenya’s most sensitive aviation services are managed.

In a petition filed before the High Court and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), whistle-blower Fredrick Mulaa paints a picture of an airport teetering on the edge of compromised security and collapsing protocol standards. The heart of the dispute lies in the coveted “meet and assist” service—a discreet but powerful operation responsible for ushering in diplomats, dignitaries, foreign delegations, and other VIP travellers.

These services, common at major international airports, demand rigorous professionalism, specialised clearance, and airtight security procedures. But according to the petition, JKIA’s version has descended into a battlefield of competing interests, questionable decisions, and outright defiance of legal orders.

Trouble first erupted when the Kenya Airports Authority’s (KAA) 2021 procurement process for the service was nullified by the High Court. A 2024 re-tendering effort appeared to offer a reset—until Tradewinds Aviation Services was disqualified at the technical evaluation stage. Yet, in a twist that has shocked industry insiders, KAA allegedly went ahead and signed contracts with Tradewinds and Umbato Safaris Limited—companies that had been previously disqualified or declared non-compliant.

The petition accuses KAA and its acting Managing Director, Dr. Mohammed Gedi, of disregarding binding court decisions and public procurement laws to force through the contracts. In what lawyers describe as a “blatantly illegal and corrupt” process, qualified bidders were sidelined, prompting legal action and public outcry.

The consequences, the petition argues, have already spilled into the security realm. JKIA—long considered a key regional gateway—has reportedly seen a rise in breaches linked to poorly vetted personnel and irregular access resulting from the disputed contracts. Alarm bells rang even louder when four suspects were arraigned on October 7 at the JKIA Law Courts for allegedly participating in a drug trafficking ring believed to be using the airport as a transit point.

A letter from S and S Advocates to the KAA Managing Director, also sent to the EACC, accuses the agency of openly violating court orders and endangering national security by allowing disqualified firms to operate.

The petition now seeks declarations that KAA violated the Constitution and procurement laws, setting the stage for a court battle that could redefine how critical airport services are awarded and monitored.

As the case moves through the corridors of justice, JKIA finds itself at the crossroads of legality, security, and public trust. For Kenya’s busiest airport, the outcome may determine not just who controls VIP access—but how safe and credible the gateway to the nation truly is.