Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen has attributed the recent challenges at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to a combination of infrastructure neglect by the previous administration and deliberate sabotage.
Speaking during Governor Cheboi’s Supercup finals in Kabarnet on Tuesday, Murkomen acknowledged the airport’s dilapidated state while pledging a complete overhaul encompassing infrastructure upgrades and personnel changes.
The CS also addressed the recent power outages at JKIA, attributing them to sabotage by a few individuals.
“I am totally in charge of changing our infrastructure and in January we will announce the construction of a brand new terminal,” he said.
He assured ongoing investigations and promised legal repercussions for those found responsible.
“We have started the process of hiring a new team. I also created a committee that found that the foundations of the airport are worrying. Now we have sourced more funds to rectify that,” he said.
“I was with the Inspector General and those who were responsible will face the law.”
Murkomen’s statements come amidst public concerns about the airport’s efficiency and image.
The recent power outage experienced on Sunday further exacerbated the situation, raising questions about security and preparedness.
It was the third outage as the first outage was on August 25, while the second was on November 11.
During the outage on November 11, it took over 12 hours to restore power in most parts of the country.
In August, after Kenya Power issued a brief statement announcing a “system disturbance leading to loss of bulk power supply,” Murkomen apologised after passengers were stranded at JKIA.
