KAA Issues Statement On Flooding At JKIA

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has revealed that the heavy rainfall experienced in Nairobi on Saturday evening, April 27 has led to flooding at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's (JKIA) Tower Avenue Underpass.

KAA in a statement revealed that in response to the situation, its Security Teams and the Police have cordoned off the affected area to ensure the safety of all airport users and personnel.

Owing to the anticipated heavy traffic, all motorists were urged to access the airport through the main entrance.

Flooding at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's (JKIA) Tower Avenue Underpass as of April 28, 2024. /CONSTRUCTION KENYA.DENNIS NYAMBANE

"Normal flight operations at the airport are still ongoing, and access to all terminals remains available.

"However, due to the situation, traffic is expected to be heavier than usual. We advise all vehicles to use the main entrance to access and exit the airport until further notice," the statement read in part.

Photos and videos seen by Viral Tea showed the dire situation on the roads leading to the country's largest airport, with a bus photographed almost submerged in the flooded water.

Motorists were forced to step out of their cars to examine the situation as a van was also captured submerged in the flooded waters amidst a traffic build-up.

This is the second time in a week that JKIA has had to bear the wrath of Mother Nature as the country experiences heavy rains leading to floods that have claimed 83 lives countrywide and displaced thousands of Kenyans.

Operations at the airport's Terminal 1C were on Friday, April 26 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 Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen's directive, with works commencing 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. This is being mitigated as works progress and the contractor has been instructed to complete the works on schedule," the statement read in part.

The authority apologized for the inconvenience caused by the leakages, adding that it "remains committed to upholding the highest standards of service."