Kenyans complain over JKIA blackout, term it national shame

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is Kenya's pride, main airport and one of the busiest airports in Africa.

It is also home to national flag carrier Kenya Airways and others including Jambojet, Fly540 and African Express Airways.

However, three times this year, JKI has been affected by blackout as the country experienced nationwide power blackouts.

The airport which is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, on Sunday experienced another blackout paralysing services at sections of the airport.

This is the third nationwide blackout Kenya has witnessed in three months since August this year.

Photos and video clips shared by Kenyans on social media depicted the busy airport in total darkness including in the terminals.

Kenyans took to social media to complain about the blackout terming it as a national shame.

"JKIA and country experience power #blackout again! Who should CS Murkomen now fire; engineers or himself?"@majimaji

"JKIA has been affected by the nationwide blackout. It seems there are no standby backup generators at JKIA. This is happening for the third time now. As usual, we are waiting for Kipchumba Murkomen to go there, take pictures, and fire a junior staff for PR.,"@Alinur Mohammed.

"JKIA the only international airport on earth that loses power frequently.," @John Wanyama.

"Here at JKIA you are forced to look for your flight using your phone torch, don’t mention luggage," @lizah Mutuku

"JKIA, the shame of Africa!" @Cormelius Ronoh

In August when the country experienced a similar situation, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen apologised for the power outage that hit the airport.

Murkomen said there was no excuse for the incident.

"I am sorry for what has happened at JKIA with the blackout. There is no excuse worth reporting and there is no reason why our airport is in darkness," he said.

At the time, Kenya Airport Authority indicated that one of the generators serving JKIA's Terminal 1A and the parking silo failed to start.

Shortly after, the CS announced changes at KAA.

The CS terminated the contract of Kenya Airport Authority Managing Director, Alex Gitari and  Henry Ogoye assumed the position in an acting capacity.

"By mutual consent, the contract of Mr Alex Gitari, who has been the managing director of Kenya Airports Authority, has been terminated" Murkomen announced then.

Construction of the terminal building at JKIA started on March 14, 1978, and was completed on the other side of the airport's single runway and opened by the founding father of the nation, the late  President Mzee Jomo  Kenyatta.

Following his death on August 22, 1978, the airport, formerly known as Nairobi International Airport, was renamed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

There are two main terminals at JKIA; Terminals One and Two.

Terminal 1 is arranged in a semi-circular orientation and is divided into four parts: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E

Terminal 1A is used for International arrivals and Departures by Kenya Airways and Sky Partners

Terminals 1B and 1C are also used for international departures.

Terminal 1D is used for Domestic arrivals and departures while 1E is for  International Arrivals.

Terminal 2  is used by low-cost carriers.

The original terminal, located on the north side of the runway, is used by the Kenya Air Force and is sometimes referred to as Old Embakasi Airport.

In January 2021, Kenya Airports Authority began renovating JKIA terminals 1B and C.

The JKIA upgrade project involved the refurbishment of the airport’s departure halls to improve check-in, screening procedures, retail operations, and traveller lounge experience.

Terminal 1B and IC's renovation aimed to enhance the traveller experience in the two terminals to match what is offered at Terminal 1A.

Further, the renovations were also meant to improve customer experience and position the airport as the preferred aviation hub in East Africa. 

At the cost of Sh1.7 billion Terminal 2 at the JKIA was opened in April 2015 by Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The prefabricated terminal’s additional capacity brings JKIA’s capacity to 7.5 million passengers annually, compared to the estimated 6.5 million passengers who go through the airport. 

It was initially intended to relieve overcrowding.

The terminal houses international & domestic check-in desks and boarding gates.

Also unveiled was the new security screening yard at the entrance of JKIA, a state-of-the-art facility fitted with modern security equipment that is one of its kind in Africa.

Current lounges at Terminal 2 include the Mara Lounge and Mount Kenya Lounge - both at the airside, Level 1 and open 24 hours.

Terminal 2 sits on 10,000 square meters. Fly 540, Sax, Jubba and African Air Express are some of the airlines that have already been operating from the new station.

JKIA also has five cargo facilities with a capacity to handle 200,000 tonnes of cargo annually and an animal holding facility that occupies 4,318.95ft.

The cargo facilities are Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL), Transglobal Cargo Centre, Nairobi Cargo Centre, and Cargo Service Centre.