The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has explained the reason for leaking roofs at the Jomo Kenyatta Internation Airport (JKIA) following uproar from Kenyans.
In a statement on Friday, April 26, the authority said that the that the roofs at Terminals 1B and 1C were under repair by contractors in line with a directive from Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
However, KAA indicated that the ongoing heavy rainfall had overwhelmed the temporary drainage infrastructure installed by the contractor in the project leading to the leakage experienced on Friday.
“Over the last few days, the heavy rainfall in Nairobi has adversely impacted on the temporary drainage infrastructure put by the contractor on site, resulting in the current leakages being experienced at the terminal,” the statement read in part.
KAA explained that the repairs at the terminals had begun in March 2024 for a period of three months following CS Murkomen’s directive.
The contractors have been instructed to ensure that the repairs are complete within the agreed timeline in spite of the rains.
“In response to the directive from the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Honorable Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) commenced the exercise to address roof leakages at Terminals 1B and 1C of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“Works commenced in March 2024 for a period of three (3) months. This is being mitigated as works progress and the contractor has been instructed to complete the works on schedule,” explained KAA.
Also Read: Murkomen & Larry Madowo Lock Horns Over Video Exposing State of JKIA
Kenyans Respond to KAA
Displeased by the explanation, some Kenyans have responded to the authority, arguing that the leakages have been ignored for months and it only shows that the ministry is negligent.
Others have indicated that such occurrences leave passengers stranded and puts them at risk.
“It’s absolutely unacceptable that this leakage has been ignored for months. This kind of negligence not only undermines the safety travelers but also tarnishes the reputation of a hub airport,” Doctor Gatimu Muchai stated.
“We discuss a roof every time it rains. In an international airport? And put-up committees for it? We really want to compete with other countries on airport experience. We’re talking about a leaking roof in JKIA every time it rains, why can’t we be serious for once?” Maina Wambui added.
Also Read: JKIA Ranked 10th Best Airport in Africa
Murkomen and Larry Madowo Argument Over JKIA
Earlier, Murkomen while responding to a video posted by CNN Journalist Larry Madowo, hit out at Madowo saying that the challenges at the airport had been there for years yet he failed to highlight them then.
“I was laughing because Larry was with us in the country for the last fifty years when that airport was like that. Suddenly because he lives in ‘majuu’ his eyes are open and realizes that there is no shade when you exit JKIA,” he remarked.
“It happens to all of us when we travel. Those questions should have been asked since 1978,” he said.
However, Madowo responded to the criticism stating that he had been complaining about it for ten years and was disappointed that the government was not addressing the challenges.
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