Airports boss fired as Murkomen cracks the whip over JKIA blackout

The changes have been effected after a series of mishaps witnessed in the parastatal with the most recent being a power blackout at JKIA on Friday, August 25 that left passengers stranded in the dark for hours.

Ogoye will now replace Gitari, who served as the MD for two years.

The CS also announced the appointment of Samuel Mwochache as KAA General Manager of Project and Engineering Services, replacing Fred Odawo who served as the GM for four years.

"By mutual consent, the contract of Fred Odawo who has been the General Manager of Project and Engineering Services has been terminated, and in his place Eng. Samuel Mwochache appointed in an acting capacity," he said.

Other changes implemented include the appointment of Selina Gor as the new JKIA Airport Manager and Abel Gogo as the Mombasa Airport Manager. Peter Wafula has been moved to the Kisumu International Airport as manager.

On the JKIA blackout experienced on Friday night, Murkomen stated that it did not affect the running and control power of the aircraft.

One of the generators at JKIA.[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

However, to avoid a repeat of the same, he has instructed that the two generators procured more than two years ago be commissioned latest, on Monday.

"Last night's power outage only affected terminal 1A, which you all know is the biggest and the jewel of this airport. The outage only affected passengers who stayed in the darkness and service providers whose businesses came to a standstill. Nothing affected the runway or the control tower...no airline was in danger."

"However, what happened last night was extremely embarrassing. We apologise and assure you that it will not happen again," the CS ended by saying.