State begins process to replace Muhoho at KAA

By Martin Mutua

The Government has finally advertised the position of a new Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) managing director.

The move puts in motion the process to replace Mr George Muhoho, 72, whose controversial third term contract expires on March 31.

According to paid up advert in the dailies yesterday, the Government has contracted Manpower Services Ltd to carry out the recruitment.

Muhoho, an ally of President Kibaki, has been at the helm of the parastatal for seven years since March 2003.

Many, however, viewed his appointment as a reward by Kibaki, with whom he co-founded the Democratic Party of Kenya 19 years ago.

Last week, the Government appointed former Runyenjes MP Martin Nyagah Wambora as the chairman of the KAA board.

Vacant for months

The position had been vacant for 10 months following the expiry of Erastus Mwongera’s contract, which was not renewed.

Sources say Mwongera, a former PS at the Ministry of Roads, had fallen out with Muhoho last year over the latter’s contract for the second time.

Upon expiry of his term, the board had elevated his deputy, Matthew Wamalwa to the position, but was overruled by Transport Minister Ali Mwakwere.

Mr Mwakwere was accused of disobeying the State Corporations Act, which empowers the board to advertise the position.

The authority has been in a spot following deterioration of services at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Mombasa’s Moi International Airport.

Recently, Kenya Airways was compelled to temporarily withdraw night flights following poor lights on the runways at JKIA.

The airline said it suspended the services following a notice from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority that the runway threshold lights did not meet the minimum International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements.

The defect caused a major travel hitch as JKIA is the biggest Airport in East and Central Africa, and is the focal point for major aviation activity in the region.

Kenya Airports Authority officials said defective circuits caused the problem.

The authority has also been blamed for poor planning and alleged failure to stop illegal acquisition of airport land.

Gazetted land

It is alleged that some residential houses have sprung up near Wilson Airport on land gazetted to belong to the facility.

It is not just at JKIA where KAA is under siege; problem bedeviling the organisation are spread throughout the country’s airports. Mombasa’s Moi International Airport has also been experiencing problems with runway lights.