Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has announced the sacking of two top Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officers after a power outage paralyzed operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The CS said KAA MD Alex Gitari and General Manager Project and Engineering Services Fred Odawo had been fired by the board after JKIA backup generators failed on Friday night.

Murkomen, during a media briefing, said current KAA Head of Corporate Planning Henry Ogoye will replace the fired Gitari as Odawo is succeeded by Eng Samuel Mwochache.

He lamented that challenges in the management of KAA had resulted in a myriad of mishaps, which have also left employees demoralized at airports across the country.

“When I appointed the new board, I made it clear that they must reorganize the workforce and end the culture of having many of our officers holding key positions, serving in acting capacity in perpetuity,” said Murkomen.

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He was speaking after he visited JKIA on Saturday morning as he sought answers to the Friday embarrassment at JKIA and to check whether all normal operations had resumed.

“The institution has since begun the process of hiring permanent staff to take these positions in an exercise that will be concluded within the next two weeks,” he announced.

He also announced the realignment of senior officials at KAA in an effort aimed at improving the running of the country’s major airports in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu counties.

“Abel Gogo, the Airport Manager JKIA now moves to Mombasa International Airport. Selina Gor, the Airport Manager Kisumu International Airport will move to JKIA as the new manager,” the CS announced.

Murkomen clarified that no flights or passengers were endangered by the blackout as the backup generator that lights the runway and control tower came on without any hitch.

“Peter Wafula, the Airport Manager Mombasa, moves to Kisumu International Airport. These changes take effect immediately. More changes will follow in the coming days,” he added.

He added that two generators that had been procured more than two years ago will be commissioned to avert a similar mishap as that witnessed at the regional hub’s airport.