Investigate sabotage! Murkomen tells police over frequent JKIA blackouts

Murkomen said the National Police Service should also investigate possible cover ups of the same.

In Summary
  • Murkomen insisted that the clean up of the mess at JKIA is ongoing continues. 
  • The CS noted that JKIA has challenges, which they have been addressing progressively.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a past meeting in Parliament.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a past meeting in Parliament.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A/FILE

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen wants the police to investigate the frequent blackouts at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

In a statement, after most parts of the country experienced a blackout on Sunday night, Murkomen said the National Police Service should also investigate possible cover-ups of the same.

"Considering the frequency of the power disruption, and taking into account the fact that JKIA is a facility of strategic national importance, we are making a formal request to the National Police Service to investigate possible acts of sabotage and coverup," he said.

Murkomen insisted that cleanup of the mess at JKIA continues.

He said the KAA Board is under strict instructions to carry on with the reform agenda and the management to implement, as directed, the report of the technical committee that was recently constituted.

His remarks came after some sections of the airport exeprienced blackout after the backup generators failed to pick up.

"A power outage was experienced in many parts of the country tonight. Changeover to the standby generators ensured power was immediately restored to most parts of JKIA. Regrettably, supply did not immediately resume at terminals 1A and 1E," he said.

Murkomen said following the blackout, which is the third nationally and has affected JKIA, he led a team composed of the Principal Secretary for Transport, Kenya Airports Authority Board Chairman and Managing Director among other KAA officials to assess the situation at the airport.

The CS noted that JKIA has challenges, which they have been addressing progressively.

Sunday's power outage was experienced from 8 pm.

Kenya Power said the power outage was a result of a suspected fault affecting the power system.

"We are working to restore normalcy within the shortest time possible. An update on the restoration progress will be issued in due course," Kenya Power said in a statement.

The company apologised for the inconvenience caused.

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