JKIA Blackout: 2 Generators Fail To Start Despite Undergoing Successful Testing, KAA Says

• Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said they are investigating why two generators failed to start immediately
• According to KAA, only Terminal 1A and 1E were affected after a blackout hit various parts of the country
• KAA apologised to passengers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has apologised to passengers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the power blackout at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

On Sunday, December 10, JKIA, like other parts of the country, experienced darkness after a blackout hit Kenya Power and Lighting Company (9KPLC).

Why generators failed to work at JKIA

In a statement to newsrooms, KAA said the airport was plunged into darkness after backup generators failed to function immediately.

According to KAA, other than Terminals 1A and 1E, the rest of the airport, including the JKIA Tower and Runway, remained fully operational.

“Over the past week, our generator system at JKIA has undergone rigorous testing to ensure a continuous and reliable power supply. Despite these efforts, during tonight's power outage, two of our four generators, specifically those serving Terminals IA and 1E, failed to immediately activate,” KAA said.

KAA disclosed that their engineers responded swiftly to rectify the affected generators, thereby restoring power at the airport.

“Our technical team responded swiftly to the situation, and we are pleased to report that the fault was rectified quickly. Power was fully restored to the affected terminals,” it stated.

Why Murkomen wants police to probe power outage

Meanwhile, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen asked the National Police Service to investigate the frequent power disruptions in the country.

According to Murkomen, the frequent power blackouts could be an act of sabotage and coverup by government employees.

"Considering the frequency of the power disruption and taking into account the fact that JKIA is a facility of strategic national importance, we are making a formal request to the National Police Service to investigate possible acts of sabotage and coverup," Murkomen said.

The CS added that the cleanup of the mess at JKIA continues even as police try to establish the truth behind frequent power outrages in the country.