Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen came under fire on Sunday, December 10, after the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – JKIA plunged into darkness again.
Kenyans could not understand how a critical facility like JKIA did not have a reliable power backup system.
In his defense, Murkomen regrettably stated that some parts of the airport experienced darkness even though power was restored to most parts of the facility.
“A power outage was experienced in many parts of the country tonight.
Changeover to the standby generators ensured power was immediately restored to most parts of JKIA.
Regrettably, supply did not immediately resume at terminals 1A and 1E, read part of his statement released at night.”
The CS, who had in August assured Kenyans that nothing of the sort would happen again, said he rushed to the airport to assess the situation.
“In the wake of tonight’s incident, I led a team composed of PS Transport, Kenya Airports Authority Board Chairman and Managing Director among other KAA officials to assess the situation at the airport.
Also Read: KAA Forced to Explain JKIA Blackout with Standby Generators
Polic to Probe JKIA Blackouts – Murkomen
According to Murkomen, JKIA is grappling with a myriad of challenges, and that they’re fixing the situation progressively.
He further concerns over the frequent outages at JKIA, noting it won’t be business as usual.
The CS now wants the police to seize of the matter and get to the bottom of it.
In his statement, he insinuated a possibility of sabotage at the critical installation.
“Considering the frequency of the power disruption and taking into account the fact that JKIA is a facility of strategic national importance, we are making a formal request to the National Police Service to investigate possible acts of sabotage and coverup,” Murkomen stated.
In addition, a tough talking CS maintained that the cleanup of the mess at the airport would continue.
Also Read: KPLC Blackout: Countrywide Power Outage Strikes Again
“The KAA Board is under strict instructions to carry on with the reform agenda and the management to implement, as directed, the report of the technical committee which I recently constituted.”
Standby Generators
Murkomen made the request to the National Police Service – NPS, moments after the Kenya Airports Authority explained how JKIA experienced blackout despite the facility having standby generators.
“Over the past week, our generator system at JKIA has undergone rigorous testing to ensure continuous and reliable power supply.
Despite these efforts, during tonight’s power outage, two of our four generators, specifically those serving Terminals IA and IE, failed to immediately activate,” KAA stated in a statement on December 10.
Kenyans slammed the CS who had promised that JKIA, a critical facility would never experience blackouts.
“Bwana CS, just let the military, Kenya Defense Forces – KDF, to run the energy supply department of JKIA since it is the heart of Kenya’s air transport.
KDF will kill two birds with one stone: guard JKIA and guard reputation of their Commander in Chief, President William Ruto. Also, use every roof at JKIA for solar,” advised Dr John Njega Karugia on X. For Edwin Dande of Cytonn Investment, CS Murkomen needs a different approach to fix JKIA power outages.
“If I were you, I’d learn how to switch off KPLC line to JKIA. Then once a week show up to JKIA at 2 am incognito and unannounced when there is no KPLC power issues.”
Dande continued, “Then switch off main KPLC supply line and see if the generators kick in automatically. If they don’t kick in, you fire the top boss… no transfer.
Once they kick in automatically you reduce the frequency surprise visit to once a month until the day you leave office. There is no shortcut, you have to own this one if you want it to work.”
A third blackout in 4 months
Kenya plunged into darkness on Sunday, December 10 following a countrywide power outage.
In its statement, KPLC talked of a fault that affected power systems.
By 2am on December 11, Kenya Power said it had restored electricity to several regions.
“We are glad to report that power supply has been restored in the whole of Mt Kenya, South Nyanza, Western, Central Rift, North Rift, North-Eastern and most parts of Nairobi.
Restoration for Coast region and sections of Nairobi is ongoing,” said KPLC.
