There was no security breach: KAA refutes claims of armed goons at Kisumu International Airport

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has refuted reports that goons gained access to the Kisumu International Airport on Saturday.

KAA in a statement on Monday, said that contrary to the claims, at no time were unauthorised individuals, groups, or organised unlawful elements present within the airport premises.

The Linda Mwananchi faction of ODM led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna claimed that their itinerary was leaked to some officials who allegedly planted goons at the airport ahead of their Kakamega rally, forcing them to divert their flights.  

While acknowledging fears of disturbances, however, KAA said airport access and control remained fully operational and were strictly enforced in accordance with KAA security protocols and national civil aviation security regulations.

“The Airport Security Committee and the Border Management Committee (BMC), working jointly with security agencies, maintained full situational awareness and operational control throughout the period,” the agency said in a statement issued on Monday morning.

The agency has explained that images circulating online of goons in the facility’s vicinity were taken outside the airport perimeter and beyond KAA’s security jurisdiction.

“Airport operations remained normal, secure and uninterrupted. There was no security breach, disturbance or compromise to passenger safety, aircraft operation, or airport infrastructure,” the statement issued by the Public Communications & Public Affairs read.

On Sunday, Sifuna claimed goons who had barricaded the airport planned to attack his entourage as they headed to Kakamega for their rally, while accusing KAA of allowing the goons access to the airport, raising questions about the passengers' safety.

"We need to hear from KAA whether Kisumu is still an International Airport and whether they can still guarantee the safety of all passengers transiting through there. How they allowed goons to barricade the airport needs to be explained," Sifuna wrote on his social media pages.

Sifuna alleged that their passenger manifests were leaked, thus compromising their safety, which forced them to change their travel plans to land in Kakamega Airstrip instead of Kisumu.

"We were all booked on commercial flights from JKIA. The Airlines shared our itinerary with the ghouls in the Ministry of Interior, knowing full well they were endangering our safety. Shame on you," Sifuna alleged.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, on Sunday evening, while appearing on Citizen TV, claimed that their team got intelligence on the planned attack, hence opted to avoid using the airport.

He claimed that over 200 goons armed with crude weapons had been facilitated to breach the airport and attack them under the cover of security agencies.