Enhancing the drainage system and improving the water supply were identified as key upgrades planned for the international airport.
The government, through the Ministry of Transport, on Friday, January 31 announced planned upgrades of infrastructure at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi ahead of the long rains season between February and June.
According to Transport CS Davis Chirchir, the government is set to undertake a short-term infrastructure upgrade at JKIA even as plans are underway for a new terminal.Â
Enhancing the drainage system and improving the water supply were identified as key upgrades planned for the international airport.
CS Chirchir also revealed that the walkways and terminal canopies at the airport will also be improved to protect passengers from the natural elements during the rainy season.
Entrance to JKIA during the rainy season. /ALL AFRICA
“Considering the ageing infrastructure, the government is committed to improving the overall airport infrastructure,” read the statement in part.
“Short-term action on infrastructure will include enhanced signage and wayfinding within airport and terminals, improved Airside and Landside Storm Water Drainage systems, enhanced water supply system, improved terminal air-conditioning, improved parking management, covered walkways/terminal canopies and access roads within 6 months.”
The CS stated that the upgrades would be completed within the next six months, while the government continues to seek investment opportunities through public-private partnerships (PPP) following the cancellation of the Adani deal.
The planned upgrades were announced in response to complaints from passengers regarding the overall infrastructure of the airport whenever it rains, ranging from being rained on while disembarking from aircraft to leaking roofs at certain terminals.
On April 26, 2024, operations at the airport’s Terminal 1C were brought to a standstill over leaking roofs, the second such occurrence in five months, with litres of water pouring through the roofs and onto the terminal’s interior, leaving check-in desks and luggage conveyor belts among others soaking wet.
JKIA staff were forced to intervene by placing containers to prevent excess water from spreading across the terminal floor and posing a risk to passengers checking in before boarding their flights.
KAA in a statement revealed that it embarked on repairing the leaking roofs witnessed at JKIA’s Terminal 1B and 1C in response to a directive by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen, then at Transport, with works commencing in March 2024 for three (3) months.
“Over the last few days, the heavy rainfall in Nairobi has adversely impacted the temporary drainage infrastructure put by the contractor on site, resulting in the current leakages being experienced at the terminal. This is being mitigated as works progress and the contractor has been instructed to complete the works on schedule,” the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, CS Chirchir revealed that through the Airport Charter, there will be a broader review of the overall customer experience from all customer touchpoints. “Further, we shall establish a tourist information Centre to enhance the visibility of what Kenya has to offer,” he added.
A roof under construction as passengers walk within Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on June 10, 2024. /LARRY MADOWO