Cable News Network (CNN) International correspondent Larry Madowo has exposed the challenges of landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while it’s raining.
In a video seen by The Kenya Times, the journalist decried having to walk in the rain from the arrival terminal to get to the taxi station as there isn’t any shelter put in place.
He also expressed concern that international guests had to deal with the situation pointing to the poor drainage causing puddles of water along the way to the taxi station.
“Landing in the rain, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, no shelter but this is not even the worst part. Look at this situation, international guests have to deal with this,” Madowo remarked showing the puddle of water.
“It gets worse, completely waterlogged. What is this honestly, how embarrassing is this for international airport, we can do better than this.”
Madowo further took a swipe at Kenyan leaders noting that they do not get to go through the struggles other guests experience at the airport as they access an exclusive government VIP section, and then straight into a waiting car.
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“Your leaders don’t experience this JKIA shame because they get picked up from the plane to an exclusive government VIP section, and then straight into a waiting car. They don’t mix with the masses. But I’ll keep posting until things improve,” he noted.
Kenyans React
The video drew mixed reactions online with some netizens feeling that Madowo was portraying the country in a negative light while others urged him to keep posting.
“Keep posting, the masses equally deserve dignified services. We’ve been complacent with mediocre services in this country for the longest time,” an X user Okello James expressed.
Some called out the government on their lack of accountability.
Emmanuel Gona said, “It’s too unfortunate that some people need to be reminded that JKIA is messy, they will come do some PR speeches then go away and wait for people to raise alarm again for them to repeat.”
However, some felt like the CNN journalist actions showed lack of patriotism.
“Buana be Patriotic,” Kabwere noted while Dan Chepta called out Madowo saying he is always complaining.
Others in a rather light tone shared the video of the recently flooded section of Entebbe International Airport noting that Madowo was indirectly mocking Uganda.
“Stop mocking Ugandans please,” Motiv Kasagga stated attaching a video of the flooded airport.
Larry Madowo Exposing JKIA
Nevertheless, this is not the first time Larry Madowo is exposing the poor state of JKIA.
On February 29, 2024, the journalist shared a video footage of the airport showing a leaking roof of the newly renovated terminal.
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“JKIA’s “newly renovated” terminal leaking when it rains. Is there no shame?” Madowo captioned the video.
The video surfaced months after Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen assured Kenyans that a contractor would address the leaking roofs at the airport.
However, Kenya Airports Authority’s (KAA) issued a statement to explain the circumstances leading to the incident during heavy rains.
“Over the last ten years, JKIA has suffered inadequate facility and infrastructure capacity upgrades to the extent that even temporary interventions became permanent solutions hence the current state of affairs in service disruptions,” KAA noted in a statement.
