• Murkomen formed the 11-member committee on November 15 to identify immediate remedial measures to improve facilities and passenger comfort at the three airports.
• It followed an uproar after a video emerged online of a leaking roof at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at the advent of El Nino rains.
Image: KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN/X
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday received the interim report on the state of JKIA, Moi and Wilson airports following two weeks of investigations by the technical committee.
Murkomen formed the 11-member committee chaired by Kenya Airports Authority Director Eng Walter Ogolla on November 15 to identify immediate remedial measures to improve facilities and passenger comfort at the three airports.
It followed an uproar after a video emerged online of a leaking roof at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at the advent of El Nino rains.
"The experience over the last few months has raised questions about the status of our airport infrastructure facilities," Murkomen said when unveiling the team.
The team was tasked to submit an interim report within 14 days and the final report within 28 days.
Upon receiving the interim report on Thursday, the CS directed the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to implement a myriad of recommendations.
𝐎𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐦𝐨 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 (𝐉𝐊𝐈𝐀)
Murkomen directed the erection of canopies on critical walkways and installation of a new roof for the entire terminal building 1B, 1C and 1D, with proper rain harvesting, solar and other services anchorage provisions.
He also directed the reorganisation of the internal spaces at JKIA to reduce redundancies and provide adequate sanitary facilities, efficient passenger processing and optimum ventilation and lighting.
He further directed immediate commissioning of the standby generators to provide primary backup and provision of the additional secondary backup generator to Terminals 1A, 1E and 2.
"Following a meeting with the Committee, and having gone through the report, I have directed the KAA to replace all defective screening equipment at the baggage handling system with 3D technology," he said.
𝐎𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐢 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
The CS directed that road surfacing, drainage, road markings and kerbs be rehabilitated at the airport and canopies erected at the departure and arrivals areas.
He also directed the construction of a Primary Screening Yard (PSY) complete with equipment, canopies and associated facilities and installation of proper slope management at the airside to protect the runway which is threatened by developing sinkholes.
The CS also directed that the old underground cable characterised by several joints be replaced alongside the screening equipment and a modern 3d technology screen fitted.
He also directed that all rusted canopies at the airport be replaced and all asbestos roofing material removed and replaced with environmentally friendly roofing materials.
Murkomen further directed the KAA to all old underground cables to ensure reliability overhaul the primary backup generators and replace old screening equipment with modern 3D ones.
𝐎𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
"I have directed the building a canopy in the luggage handling area to protect people and luggage from adverse weather conditions," he said.
KAA has also been directed to provide drop-off and pick-up points at the terminal building as well as provision of primary screening for passengers at the airport.
The CS also directed the authority to install proper drainage facilities within the runway and aprons of the airport and recarpet the runway with severe potholes to improve its surface condition.
"As the government, we are ready to work with all stakeholders to improve the state of our airports and cement Kenya's position as an aviation hub," Murkomen said.