Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi./FILE
The government has apologised to passengers and other stakeholders affected by the serious disruption of operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a statement issued on Monday, August 31, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said the government recognised the impact of the situation on passengers, airlines, businesses and Kenya’s international connectivity.
“The government recognises the serious disruption currently affecting operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the significant impact this situation is having on passengers, airlines, businesses and Kenya’s international connectivity,” Mudavadi said.
He said the government was actively engaging all parties involved as discussions continued to address the issues behind the disruption.
“Our immediate priority is to facilitate the safe and orderly restoration of normal airport operations while working towards a sustainable resolution of the matters under discussion,” he said.
The government also expressed regret to passengers whose journeys have been affected, urging them to remain patient as efforts to resolve the situation continue.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers whose journeys have been disrupted,” Mudavadi said.
Affected travellers were advised to continue liaising with their respective airlines for updates on their flights and travel arrangements.
The government said the situation was being handled with urgency because of the importance of JKIA to the country.
“JKIA is a critical national gateway and an important hub for Kenya’s trade, tourism, investment, diplomacy and regional connectivity,” Mudavadi said.
He added that the government was treating the disruption with “the urgency and seriousness it requires".
Mudavadi assured the public, the aviation industry and Kenya’s international partners that the government remained engaged in efforts to resolve the situation.
“We assure the public, the aviation industry and our international partners that the government remains fully seized of the matter and will continue engaging all relevant stakeholders in good faith,” he said.
The government did not provide details of the issues under discussion or indicate when normal operations would fully resume.
Instead, it said discussions with the relevant parties were ongoing as efforts focused on restoring normal airport operations while seeking a sustainable resolution.
JKIA plays a key role in Kenya’s trade, tourism, investment and diplomatic activities, as well as regional connectivity.
The government said it would provide a further update as discussions progress.
