- Gachagua asked Murkomen to install new generators at JKIA.
- A section of leaders have been calling for the resignation of Murkomen over power outages at JKIA.
Image: PCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out to defend Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen following calls by a section of leaders that he resign.
The DP said Murkomen cannot be held responsible for recent failures of generators at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) during power outages.
Speaking in Baringo County during a goat auction at Kimalel, Gachagua reiterated that the previous government is to blame for the outages at the country’s main airport.
“He is trying but there are a few people who are condemning him and demanding that he resign over failing power generators at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Kipchumba did not buy the generators. It is the previous regime that bought the fake generators,” he added.
He urged the Roads Cabinet Secretary to look for funds and install new generators at the airport.
“Let us not criticise leaders unnecessarily. We found a lot of things in a bad state when we took over power. What we are trying to do now is to rectify the situation,” he added.
Murkomen has been facing criticism from Nandi senator Samson Cherargei over the state of the airport.
On December 13, Cherargei dismissed Murkomen's claim that the third blackout in four months at JKIA was caused by saboteurs.
He claimed that the problems that continue to plague Kenya's most important airport, JKIA, are partly the result of CS Murkomen's failure to understand his ministry and the challenges it faced.
On his part, Murkomen said that the issues at JKIA are systemic as the airport has been experiencing these problems for many years.
Cherargei said issues such as the stand-by generator failures and the leaking roof at JKIA do not necessitate the formation of a special committee to investigate the matter.
On August 29, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said Murkomen and his Energy counterpart Davis Chirchir should resign following the power outage experienced at JKIA on August 25, 2023.
Speaking to KTN on Tuesday, Maanzo claimed that the outage posed a risk to planes landing at the airport.
“Chirchir and Murkomen should resign, there is no way you will risk the lives of so many people, and still stay in the office,” Maanzo said.
Tana River senator Danson Mungatana echoed his sentiments and said the responsibility for the nationwide blackout should have been laid on two ministers.
Mungatana opined that making leadership changes at JKIA and other airports was not enough.