Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was on Monday night, April 15, 2024, taken to task to explain the state of airports in the country following recent complains by members of the public concerning various aspects of their operation or management.

In his response, the CS took a sarcastic route, aiming dig at CNN correspondent Larry Madowo for remarks he had previously made over the state of the country's largest landing strip, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

According to the CS, Madowo's criticism of the airport's management and corresponding relevant government authorities for the lack of canopies at JKIA exits to shield passengers from rainfall, is a form of 'hypocrisy'.

"I saw Larry taking videos at the airport. I was laughing because Larry was with us in the country for the last 50 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," Murkomen said.

"It is not news that JKIA does not have a canopy for shielding passengers, it is a fact."

Responding to the Cabinet Secretary, Madowo shared screenshots of his tweets from 2014 and 2018 complaining about the poor state of JKIA. He accused the CS of deflecting from real potent issues affecting the country.

"This premium gaslighting, deflecting and trivializing the issue: 1. JKIA is 66 - almost 30 years older than me. 2. You don’t need a new pre-election terminal to build canopies for the existing ones. 3. I didn’t “suddenly” discover how bad it is, I’ve been complaining about JKIA for 10 years," Larry responded.

Murkomen countered by assuring Madowo of the government's commitment to addressing the concerns. He further criticised the journalist for 'only' sharing the ill side of things in the country, rather than also marketing the good.

"The good news is that under this government we will sort out the airport as indicated in the post you have shared. But bro find out also something positive about your country and post it. You are underestimating the global voice you have and focusing only on the negatives. There are so many positive things happening and which have happened in the last 50 years. Even as you point out areas of improvement, be a drum major for positivity unless of course you want the world to assume that you were rescued from a primitive society," Murkomen hit back.

JKIA Status

CS Murkomen noted that he is happy with the ongoing reform processes at the airport, noting that most of the facilities are old and need refurbishment.

Case in point, the Transport CS highlighted an incident where the runway lights went off last week due to heavy rainfall at JKIA. He explained that the electricity ducts underground were installed a ages ago and the government is currently replacing the lines.

Murkomen revealed plans by the government to leverage on private sector to build new terminals at the airport.

"I want to tell Kenyans that by the time we are going to the next elections, we will have a new terminal at least complete or almost complete that will make JKIA a more competitive airport with facilities that are enviable and make us an aviation hub," he promised.

In the recent years, JKIA has experienced a myriad of challenges which have left Kenyans and esteemed travelers questioning the government's commitment in ensuring the country's largest airport is competitive globally.

On December 10, 2023, lights went out at JKIA following a nationwide blackout, however, lights were shone on the airport after two of its backup generators failed to start. 

“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 1E, failed to immediately activate,” the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said in a statement.

That being the third power outage to affect the airport in a period three months, KAA promised to take necessary steps in maintaining and improving its facilities and services.

In another instance on April 17, 2023, flights in and out of JKIA were temporarily halted after a Singapore airline cargo aircraft B747-400 aborted take-off after 11 out of 16 rear tyres were punctured.

According to reports, the damage may have been attributed to potholes at the airport.

Prior Promise/Directives

On November 30, 2023, CS Murkomen received a report from a technical committee formed on November 15 to assess the state of the JKIA, Moi and Wilson airports and provide recommendations to improve operations.

Upon conclusion of the assessment, the committee recommended the construction of footpaths and rapid exit ways, the installation of proper drainage facilities and canopies.

“I am satisfied with the work that this team has done in delivering a report that is a blueprint that will guide the management and board of the Kenya Aviation Authority (KAA) in the implementation of structural, policy, and institutional reforms that will improve passenger experience and make Kenya an aviation hub in the region,” CS Murkomen said at the time.

The CS also directed the immediate erection of canopies on vital walkways, prompt reorganization of internal spaces at JKIA to reduce redundancies and provide adequate sanitary facilities, efficient passenger processing and optimum ventilation and lighting.