[PHOTOS] Residents look on as fire guts part of JKIA

Part of JKIA grassland on fire on February 21, 2025/PHOTO:CHARLES MGHENYI

Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi remain unaffected despite a massive fire engulfing parts of the grassland near 75 Airport North Road.

Several planes continue to land at the busy airport as firefighters battle the fast-moving blaze, which has already destroyed hundreds of acres along the airport fence.

Police officer and residents watch as fire guts part of JKIA landa on February 21, 2025/PHOTO: CHARLES MGHENYI

Thick plumes of smoke are visible from several kilometers away. Fire engines, including those from the Kenya Defence Forces, are on-site working to contain the flames.

Meanwhile, hundreds of onlookers have gathered along Airport North Road, capturing the scene on their phones. According to witnesses, the fire broke out around 7 p.m.

Part of the grassland on fire at JKIA/PHOTO/CHARLES MGHENYI

Kenyans watch the fire on part of JKIA land on February 21, 2025, as traffic builds up along the road/PHOTO:CHARLES MGHENYI

Residents watching from the fence as fire guts part of JKIA land on February 21, 2025/PHOTO:CHARLES MGHENYI