We are revamping JKIA, says Airports Authority after complaints

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is set for a major transformation with plans for expansion and refurbishment.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) says plans are underway to refurbish the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

In a statement on Wednesday, November 15, KAA Managing Director Henry Ogoye said that the government has allocated funds for an upgrade of the infrastructure, expansion of the passenger terminal, runway capacity, and provision of additional aircraft parking bays at JKIA in the 2023/2024 Financial Year.

Ogoye claimed the airport has not been refurbished in the past decade, hence the poor state that travelers have experienced in the last couple of months.

"Aviation infrastructure is critical in reliable and quality service delivery in passenger and cargo operations. The Board, Management, and Staff of KAA are aligned with the concerns of the public and are implementing the government's civil aviation investment program to facilitate seamless, efficient, and effective service delivery," said Ogoye.

KAA's statement comes after pictures of a leaking roof at the JKIA sparked hue and cry from Kenyans following a heavy downpour on Monday this week.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen attributed the leaking to what he termed as a product of neglect from past governments.

"The chickens have come home to roost. We have asked the contractor to redo the works at the temporary terminal, while the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) have been directed to sort out drainage issues," he said.

On the recent power outage, the CS said the contractor has taken a long time to ensure an immediate changeover to the standby generator in case of a blackout.

"Twenty seconds can be excusable, but not 20 minutes. We want an automatic changeover," he said.