Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has called for a thorough investigation into the recent blackout at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), expressing concerns over potential acts of alleged sabotage.

The power outage, which coincided with a nationwide blackout, prompted Murkomen to issue a statement via Twitter, addressing the immediate restoration efforts and outlining steps to assess and rectify the situation.

Despite the swift changeover to standby generators that restored power to most parts of JKIA, terminals 1A and 1E experienced delays in resuming operations.

In response to the incident, Murkomen took the lead, assembling a team comprising the Permanent Secretary of Transport, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board Chairman, and the Managing Director, along with other KAA officials, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the airport's status.

Highlighting the ongoing efforts to address persistent challenges at JKIA, Murkomen expressed concern about the frequency of power disruptions and emphasized the strategic national importance of the facility.

Read More

  1. Ruto cancels Adani's Sh334 billion JKIA and KETRACO deals over US indictments
  2. NTSA sounds alarm on dangerous road habits costing Kenya Sh310 billion yearly
  3. Persistent KRA customs system outages stall cargo clearance, cut revenue

Consequently, he formally requested the National Police Service to investigate potential acts of sabotage and any attempts to conceal them.

"While we continue to address the aftermath of the blackout, the cleanup at JKIA is in progress. The KAA Board has been issued strict instructions to pursue the reform agenda, and the management is directed to implement the recommendations of the recently constituted technical committee," Murkomen stated.

The blackout incident has cast a spotlight on the security and resilience of critical national infrastructure, prompting the government to take decisive action to ensure the safety and reliability of key facilities such as JKIA.

As investigations unfold, the public remains eager for answers and reassurance that measures are in place to prevent future disruptions to vital services.