The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) on Friday explained the roof leakages at Terminals 1B and 1C of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) caused by heavy rainfall in Nairobi.
In a statement, KAA detailed that the temporary infrastructure placed by the contractor could not sustain the impact of the heavy rainfall.
The contractor had been given three months to solve the issue beginning in March 2024.
According to KAA, the directive was effected by Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen who had ordered a permanent solution to the crisis.
"Works commenced in March 2024 for three (3) months. Over the last few days, the heavy rainfall in Nairobi has adversely impacted on the temporary drainage infrastructure put by the contractor on site, resulting in the current leakages being experienced at the terminal," the statement read in part.
"This is being mitigated as works progress and the contractor has been instructed to complete the works on schedule."
The leaking roof at both terminals led to the suspension of operations, leaving passengers stranded. In videos circulating on social media, the airport employees attempted to contain the water by placing containers strategically around the terminal.
"We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding. KAA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of service," KAA explained.
At JKIA, Terminal 1 consists of five parts: 1A (International Arrivals and Departures, Kenya Airways and SkyTeam Partners), 1B, 1C (International Departures), 1D (Domestic Departures and Arrivals) and 1E (International Arrivals).
At the same time, the Transport Committee summoned KAA and KCAA officials over the state of stalled projects across the aviation sector.
According to the lawmakers, the contractors ought to be held accountable for breaching timelines set for project completion to mitigate the loss of revenue due to poor infrastructure.
"Why are we still awarding contracts to contractors who have failed to deliver? Who are these contractors and what's their capacity or are there fraudulent activities going on at KAA?" Jomvu MP Twalib Badi posed.
"The incompetence and irregular award of contracts to particular contractors who have failed on multiple occasions is wanting. As a Committee, we should not allow contractors to drag government projects for far too long and even do shoddy work, denting the country's Image; from leaking roofs to cracked airstrips. It is an embarrassment for Kenyans," Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi Saney also questioned.
The Members called for the blacklisting of any company found to be delaying the projects and subsequently compromising the standards of Airport projects.
