By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has issued an apology to members of the public using the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over the recurrence of the leaking roof.
KAA’s acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye however said the situation is due to the ongoing heavy rains that have damaged temporary drainage infrastructure that had been put in place.
The structures, according to Ogoye were put in place as a temporary measure by the contractor as they work on fixing the whole issue for the long term.
“In response to the directive from Cabinet Secretary of Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) commenced the exercise to address roof leakages at Terminal 1B and IC of JKIA,” read part of the statement.
KAA noted that works commenced on March 2024 and was expected to take three months.
“Over the last few days, the heavy rainfall in Nairobi has adversely impacted on the temporary drainage infrastructure put in place by the contractor on site, resulting in current leakages being experienced at the terminal,” noted KAA’s acting boss.
He however said the matter was already being mitigated as works progress and that the contractor has instructions to complete work within the scheduled time.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding,” the authority said.
CNN Journalist Lary Madowo yet again highlighted the leaking roof as he shared a video in which he tagged CS Murkomen.
“Bro @kipmurkomen, umeona JKIA pale Terminal 1C?” Madowo posted on his X handle.
“How can @KenyaAirports leadership keep their jobs when they’re this consistently incompetent and/or negligent? If they won’t take responsibility, why not resign in shame?” he added.
Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi also waded into the matter asking why individuals that worked on the initial work cannot be prosecuted.
Renovations for the JKIA were done during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s era.
“CS @kipmurkomen, we can’t take to Kamiti the contractor who did this job two years before you took over from CS Macharia? Surely, this is treason!” the constitutional lawyer said.