Passengers Stranded at JKIA as Country Thrown Into Major Power Blackout

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has stated that a power outage lasting nearly 2 hours at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was caused by system failures.

In a statement issued Friday night, KAA explains that one of their generators failed to start after a nationwide power blackout. This resulted in a power outage in a section of the airport including the T1A and Parking Silo. However, power was restored at JKIA by 11:36 p.m. Passengers were affected by the power outage, and processes such as immigration and baggage handling were paralysed.

The blackout also affected Nairobi, Rift Valley, Mt Kenya and Western Kenya. Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has apologized for the incident, stating that there is no excuse for the power outage at JKIA and that he will issue an announcement in response to the outage soon. Political analyst Herman Manyora has shared his thoughts on Friday night's power blackout. Manyora regrets that the nationwide blackout could be used by the country's enemies to commit evil deeds.

“We all know that Kenya is a third-world country, but don’t keep on reminding us. Remember, such carelessness can put the country at the risk of attack from our enemies,” says Manyora.

The blackout caused an uproar among Kenyans who had to spend the night in darkness. Although power has been restored in some areas, most parts are still in darkness. The nationwide power blackout left business owners struggling and vulnerable to its impact.