Airports boss fired as Murkomen cracks the whip over JKIA blackout

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen addressing the media at JKIA on Saturday, August 26.[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced the appointment of Henry Ogoye as the acting Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).

Murkomen, issuing a statement at the KAA head offices in Nairobi on Saturday, August 25 also announced the firing of the Authority’s MD Alex Gitari.

“By mutual consent, the contract of Mr. Alex Gitari who has been the Managing Director of KAA has been terminated. In his place, Henry Ogoye currently serving as the Head of Corporate Planning has been appointed to be the Acting MD,” said Murkomen.

Transport CS Murkomen full speech on the power outage at JKIA
Murkomen announces changes at Kenya Airports Authority; appoints Henry Ogoye as acting Managing Director and terminates contract of Alex Gitari. pic.twitter.com/Y5vUesKJlm — KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) August 26, 2023

The changes have been effected after a series of mishaps witnessed in the parastatal with the most recent being a power blackout at JKIA on Friday, August 25 that left passengers stranded in the dark for hours.

Ogoye will now replace Gitari, who served as the MD for two years.

The CS also announced the appointment of Samuel Mwochache as KAA General Manager of Project and Engineering Services, replacing Fred Odawo who served as the GM for four years.

“By mutual consent, the contract of Fred Odawo who has been the General Manager of Project and Engineering Services has been terminated, and in his place Eng. Samuel Mwochache appointed in an acting capacity,” he said.

Other changes implemented include the appointment of Selina Gor as the new JKIA Airport Manager and Abel Gogo as the Mombasa Airport Manager. Peter Wafula has been moved to the Kisumu International Airport as manager. 

On the JKIA blackout experienced on Friday night, Murkomen stated that it did not affect the running and control power of the aircraft. 

One of the generators at JKIA.[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

However, to avoid a repeat of the same, he has instructed that the two generators procured more than two years ago be commissioned latest, on Monday.

“Last night's power outage only affected terminal 1A, which you all know is the biggest and the jewel of this airport. The outage only affected passengers who stayed in the darkness and service providers whose businesses came to a standstill. Nothing affected the runway or the control tower...no airline was in danger." 

"However, what happened last night was extremely embarrassing. We apologise and assure you that it will not happen again," the CS ended by saying.