Your First Glimpse of Kenya Might Be a Runway
Your first glimpse of Kenya might not be a hospital. It might not be the coastline, the red soil, the acacia trees or the Nairobi skyline. It might be a runway.
For thousands of international students arriving for electives, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the front door to the experience. In 2026, that front door is being rebuilt.
Why Is JKIA Expanding?
JKIA is one of East Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, and it has outgrown itself. The airport was built for about 8 million passengers a year but handled close to 9 million in 2025, and traffic keeps rising. More passengers mean more aircraft, more luggage, more connections and more queues, especially at peak times.
The response is a long-term master plan led by the Kenya Airports Authority. It isn’t simply about making the terminal look newer. It’s about preparing Nairobi for far more passengers and flights over the next two decades.
What Is Being Built?
The plan includes:
- A new passenger terminal, built in two phases, to eventually raise capacity to around 15 million passengers a year
- A new runway, targeted for 2029, plus upgrades to taxiways and aircraft parking
- Refurbishment of the existing terminals and landside access roads
- Improvements to air-traffic and airfield systems
Construction began in July 2026 and is being phased over roughly three years. Large projects like this often shift, so treat these timelines as a guide rather than a guarantee.
What Does This Mean for Your Arrival?
You might reasonably be wondering: “I’m landing next month. Is the airport going to be chaos?”
Not necessarily. Airports are upgraded in phases precisely because they must keep operating, and the existing terminals are being refurbished in stages to limit disruption. What you may notice is changed walkways, temporary signs or longer queues at busy times.
The practical takeaway is simple: give yourself time. International arrival already involves immigration, baggage and meeting your transfer. Construction adds another layer of unpredictability, so don’t plan your arrival so tightly that a 30-minute delay becomes a crisis.
Most Students Don’t Stop in Nairobi
Here’s the part most arrival guides miss. Most Elective Africa placements are outside Nairobi: in Mombasa, Malindi, Kisumu and Migori. That means many students land at JKIA and then catch a domestic flight.
Connecting at JKIA usually works like this:
- You clear immigration in Nairobi, even if you’re flying straight on. International arrivals come through Terminal 1E.
- You’ll usually collect your bags and clear customs. Even on a single ticket, confirm at your first check-in whether your bags are tagged through to your final destination. If you’re unsure, assume you’ll collect and recheck them.
- You walk to domestic check-in. Most domestic flights, including to Mombasa and Kisumu, leave from Terminal 1D. It’s in the same building, about a 5–10 minute walk. Some low-cost airlines use Terminal 2, a separate building that needs a road transfer.
- You check in again. Domestic check-in often closes 45–60 minutes before departure.
How much time should you allow?
| Your booking | Recommended connection time |
|---|---|
| Single ticket, same terminal | 2 hours or more (airline minimums can be shorter) |
| Separate tickets, same terminal | At least 3 hours |
| Separate tickets involving Terminal 2 | At least 4 hours |
On separate tickets, your domestic flight isn’t protected: if your international flight is late, the domestic airline doesn’t have to rebook you for free. And if your route includes a long layover elsewhere on the way to Kenya, check the 12-hour yellow fever rule before you book.
Before You Reach Immigration
Arrival is smoother when the paperwork is done before you fly. Make sure you have:
- your approved Kenya eTA, applied for through the official portal
- Kenya’s mandatory travel health insurance, which is now checked as part of the eTA application
Save both as screenshots, not just emails.
The Airport Is Only the Beginning
Students often underestimate how much happens between landing and reaching their accommodation:
- clear immigration
- collect your luggage
- possibly catch a connecting flight
- find your airport transfer
- reach your accommodation and settle in
- attend orientation and prepare for your first day at the hospital
That is a lot after an overnight flight.
This is why arrival coordination matters. If Elective Africa is arranging your airport pickup, make sure you have the details before you fly. Know:
- Who is collecting me, and where do I meet them?
- Which airport am I being collected from: Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu?
- What happens if my flight is delayed or I miss a connection?
- Who do I call if I can’t find the driver?
These questions take two minutes to ask before departure. They’re much harder to answer beside a baggage carousel with 40% phone battery. Our Safety Handbook also covers approved transport and what to do if something goes wrong while travelling.
What Should You Have Ready When You Land?
Think of your arrival folder as a small emergency kit. Keep these accessible offline:
- Passport, Kenya eTA and insurance reference
- Flight confirmations, including any domestic connection
- Accommodation details and elective confirmation
- Airport transfer details and emergency contacts
Don’t rely on mobile data. A screenshot is more useful than a perfectly organised email in an inbox you can’t open. You can buy a local SIM card in the arrivals hall if you need one.
The Bigger Picture
JKIA’s transformation is about more than the airport. It reflects Nairobi’s role as a regional centre for business, healthcare, education and tourism.
For a student arriving for a global-health elective, your journey begins at an airport that is itself changing alongside the country. You’re here for a few weeks; the infrastructure around you is being built for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will JKIA construction affect my arrival in 2026?
Possibly, in the form of changed layouts, temporary signs or longer queues rather than closures. The upgrade is phased so the airport keeps operating. Build extra buffer time into your plans.
How do I connect from an international flight to Mombasa or Kisumu at JKIA?
In most cases you clear immigration and customs in Nairobi, collect your bags unless they’re confirmed through to your destination, and walk to domestic check-in at Terminal 1D. Allow at least two hours on a single ticket and three or more on separate tickets.
How much buffer time should I build into my arrival plan?
Don’t schedule anything time-critical, such as a tight connection or an early orientation, within the first couple of hours after landing. Immigration, baggage and transfers can all take longer than expected.
Does Elective Africa arrange airport transfers?
Airport pickup is part of our arrival support. Confirm your pickup airport, driver contact and what to do if you’re delayed with our team before you fly.
Flying Into Nairobi?
Your arrival should be the easy part. Elective Africa can help you plan your flights, connections, airport pickup and first days before you travel, so you know exactly where you’re going before the wheels touch down.
→ Confirm your arrival details with Elective Africa
Still budgeting? See our programme pricing before you book flights.