Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen promised an international standard revamp of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday to restore the state of the country’s main airport.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Murkomen noted that the airport is in dire need of a facelift, and plans to effect the changes are already underway.
Further, he promised Kenyans to enjoy a gold-standard airport before the next General Election in 2027.
"By the time we are going into the next elections, you will have a new terminal at least complete or almost complete that will make JKIA a more competitive airport with facilities that are enviable and make us an aviation hub," he said.
He also responded to a video shared by CNN journalist Larry Madowo, which showed passengers being rained on due to the lack of shade and being forced to maneuver paddles of water as parts of the walkways were flooded.
Did you read this?
Terminal to taxi when it’s raining at JKIA pic.twitter.com/iWit7p3VGW
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) April 10, 2024
Murkomen scoffed at the video, saying that the situation has changed since the airport was constructed saying Madowo is only complaining because he has had the privilege of traveling and has seen better airports.
"I saw one of your friends taking videos saying that people are rained on when they exit and I was laughing because Larry was with us in the country for the last 50 years but suddenly because he lives in 'majuu' (abroad) his eyes are opened and has realised there is no shade," he said.
"Those questions should have been asked since 1978 it is not news that JKIA does not have a canopy to shield passengers."
Promising a satisfactory facelift, even using biblical connotation, Murkomen has since said all his critics would praise him in three years when this action plan is realized.
