Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised suspicions of possible sabotage following a series of power outages at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other key facilities.
This follows the third nationwide blackout in three months, which crippled operations at JKIA and left many passengers stranded for hours on Sunday.
Murkomen has formally requested the National Police Service (NPS) to investigate the matter, citing potential acts of sabotage and cover-up.
He emphasized that the frequency and nature of the outages raise serious concerns, warranting a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The latest outage plunged JKIA into darkness, as backup generators failed to activate.
While efforts to restore power are underway, Murkomen stressed the need for a complete overhaul of the airport’s management and infrastructure.
He revealed that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board is under strict instructions to implement reforms and execute the recommendations of a recently constituted technical committee.
This is the third major power outage in Kenya within three months, causing significant disruptions at key airports and infrastructure.
The previous outages occurred on August 25th and November 11th, with the latter requiring over 12 hours to restore power in most areas.
Following the August outage, Murkomen issued an apology to stranded passengers at JKIA, acknowledging the unacceptable situation.
He emphasized that there was no excuse for the disruption and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
While Terminal 1A and 1E at JKIA remained operational during the latest outage, the rest of the airport, including the tower and runway, were affected. KAA has issued apologies to the impacted passengers, assuring them that they are working diligently to prevent further disruptions.
The ongoing investigations into the suspected sabotage and the implementation of proposed reforms aim to address the root causes of the recurring power outages at JKIA and other critical infrastructure.
Ensuring reliable and efficient operations at these facilities is crucial for fostering economic growth and maintaining public trust in the government and its agencies.
