Kenyan content creator Liz Jackson has sparked debate after calling for the construction of a new modern airport from scratch, arguing that simply upgrading Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) may not be enough to give Kenya a highly competitive airport compared with newer facilities across Africa.
"I think building a new airport from scratch is more practical. Yes, JKIA can be modernized, but we need a bigger airport with enough space for future expansion.
I’ve always wondered why many countries I’ve visited have airports far from the city,like CDG, which is about 1½–2 hours from Paris.The space allows for proper long-term development."
In a series of Instagram posts, Jackson said JKIA needs modernization but maintained that Kenya should consider building an entirely new airport.
“JKIA needs to be modernized, but for us to achieve a highly competitive and modern airport, we need one built from scratch,” she stated.
She also compared Kenya’s airport infrastructure with facilities she has encountered elsewhere on the continent.
“In the region, we are doing badly when it comes to airports. All African countries I’ve been to have modern airports. We have failed,” she said.
Regional Comparisons and Security Concerns
Jackson later shared videos of airports in Angola and Zimbabwe, which appeared to be examples of the modern facilities she was referring to.
She also addressed concerns that her comments could expose airports to security threats, disagreeing with those who argued that discussing airport vulnerabilities could attract terrorists.
“Those saying that I’m exposing the airport to terrorists, I disagree,” Jackson said, arguing that terrorist attacks often involve extensive planning and preparation. She cited the September 11 attacks and the 1996 hijacking of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 as examples that influenced her concerns about airport security.
Jackson subsequently shifted the focus to government preparedness, asking: “How prepared is the government? How does it protect critical infrastructure like airports? How strong are our systems at detecting and preventing threats before they happen?”
Mixed Social Media Reactions and Political Jokes
Her remarks attracted a mixture of support, jokes and criticism online. “Women 🙌,” one user commented, while another said, “Akue kwa ballot 2027 afanye izo vitu anataka😂,” suggesting she should seek political office.
“Akothee kuja uandikie huyu paragraph 😂,” another joked, while a different user wrote, “Hizi topic zikuwe zinakuja Tuesday juu tuko maji already 😂😂😂.”
Some appeared to agree with her assessment. “After kuona hio picha alipost jana, I support her, jkia imerust, kuparara na old buildings 👏👏,” one commenter wrote. Others joked about the broader political and travel situation, with one saying, “Tell ruto....sisi ni wakenya,” while another quipped, “Sisi wa forward travelers ni insecticides tu tunataka mspray pekee😂😂.”
Broader Debate Surrounding Kenya's Aviation Sector
The conversation comes amid a recent disagreement between Kenyan celebrities Vera Sidika and Akothee over Kenya Airways' (KQ) performance. Vera criticised the national carrier over what she described as inefficiencies and poor service, while Akothee came to KQ’s defence, pushing back against the criticism and highlighting the airline’s role. Their exchange has since fuelled a wider conversation about Kenya’s aviation sector, with Liz Jackson’s remarks on the need for a modern airport adding another dimension to the debate.
