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Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says the government will soon embark on efforts to improve service delivery and the state of local airports.

In a statement on Saturday, September 2, Murkomen said major reforms and rehabilitation programs would be rolled out at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), other airports and airstrips across the country.

The CS made the remarks after inspecting ongoing works at JKIA in preparation for the upcoming Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi next week.

The event, co-hosted by the Kenya government and the African Union Commission, with President William Ruto as the chairperson of the summit, will be attended by at least 24 Heads of State and government.

Murkomen instructed the management of Kenya Airports Authority and JKIA to ensure that there is seamless facilitation of visitors to ensure that the summit is a success.

“Thereafter we shall embark on major reforms and rehabilitation programs at JKIA, other airports and airstrips across the country,” Murkomen said.

The visit to JKIA comes a week after a blackout paralysed operations at the international airport, forcing Murkomen to crack the whip on the top KAA and JKIA leaders.

Passengers were left stranded at JKIA for at least two hours on the night of Friday, August 25 after an automatic generator at the airport failed to start following a nationwide power outage.

KAA Managing Director Alex Gitari and General Engineering Manager Fred Odawo had their contracts terminated over the incident.

While announcing the duo’s termination, Murkomen said the contracts of Gitari and Odawo had been terminated “by mutual consent.”

Henry Ogoye, currently serving as the Head of Corporate Planning, was appointed the acting Managing Director of KAA while Eng. Samuel Mochache was picked to replace Odawo in an acting capacity.

Further JKIA airports manager Alex Gogo was transferred to Moi International Airport, Mombasa, replacing Peter Wafula, who was moved to Kisumu International Airport.

Selina Gor, the Airport Manager Kisumu International Airport, has been transferred to JKIA.

“These changes take effect immediately,” Murkomen stated, further promising more changes in the coming days.

Murkomen announced the changes following a meeting with the KAA management and the board of directors.