Probe team on Jomo Kenyatta International Airport fire to give initial report Monday

Lead FBI and KAA officials who are investigating the cause of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport fire. [Photo: Moses Omusula/Standard]

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: Detectives pursuing the cause of the Wednesday fire that destroyed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport international arrivals section will release a preliminary report Monday.

The officials said they are compiling a report on what they think caused the fire and that it would be handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“The experts who are leading the probe will hand over their preliminary report to indicate the source and cause of the fire,” said a senior informed official, adding that they so far think the fire was the result of either accident or arson.

This was after Kenya Power officials ruled out electrical faults as the cause of the fire, saying all their circuits were intact.

Uhuru also announced the fire was not the result of terrorism as he ordered the restructuring of the security command at the airport to come under one commander.

Stern warning

“We can now confirm there was no element of a terror incident in this fire. There is no evidence of an explosion or an improvised explosive device. This was a simple fire gone bad,” he said on Friday. He also warned that anyone found culpable would be dealt with.

FBI detectives who joined the probe said there was no form of terrorism. Two US military fire experts are assisting local investigators, and the US is also providing immigration equipment to help restore regular international service.

Police are also viewing CCTV footage of events before and after the first fire was reported.

Players’ roles

The detectives have widened their probe to the response from emergency service providers. They want to establish whose fault it was that led to the massive losses and closure of the airport that is the main hub of the region.

The team has interrogated fire marshals from the Kenya Airports Authority and City Council of Nairobi who were the main players there.

“There is a feeling there was negligence from all quarters, including the KAA and the emergency service providers at large in as far as the response and handling of the scene was concerned. There was too much complacency,” said an officer.

However, KAA defended itself, saying their fire engine arrived there within five minutes of being alerted.

The three engines that serve the airport were within the airport and it took time for them to be allowed to the international arrivals terminal where the fire broke out.

“You know our main business is to protect property and lives, first for the airlines here and others,” said airport manager Edward Kobuth, adding that the location of the fire was a challenge to them.

It is understood the probe is part of the reason seven police officers who were in charge of the operations at the international arrivals terminal were questioned.

Millions in cash in both local and foreign currency were lost in the fire amid claims some of those who responded to the emergency looted instead of working to contain it.