Passengers told to arrive early, expect delays amid heightened security at JKIA

Passengers travelling through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Tuesday have been advised to arrive early due to heightened security checks and traffic disruptions on roads leading to Kenya's main airport.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) on Monday evening told passengers to expect longer security protocols while the national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) advised travellers to arrive four hours before their departure time.

“Due to heightened security checks and protocols at JKIA, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early to avoid any potential delays in catching their flights. Kindly contact your respective airline for the latest flight information,” the national airport operator said on its social media pages.

In a separate notice issued just minutes past 9 o’clock, KQ said traffic disruptions were anticipated on major roads leading to JKIA on Tuesday.

“Customers are advised to arrive at the airport at least four hours before their scheduled flight departure time…Traveling customers can physically check in at the airport as early as 4 hours before flight departure; online via www.kenya-airways.com or on their mobile devices via the KQ Mobile app from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure,” KQ said.

The airline said it was “doing everything possible to ensure our flights depart and arrive on schedule” but advised customers to expect some delays in their departure and arrival times.

The advisories came ahead of Tuesday’s planned anti-government demonstrations in the capital city, in which protesters have been mobilising for a march to JKIA.

Protesters have since President William Ruto dropped the contentious 2024 Finance Bill late last month continued with demos against his administration, calling for an overhaul of the entire government. Others also call for his resignation.

Tuesday’s demonstration, dubbed ‘OccupyJKIA’, follows a previous Parliament buildings edition dubbed ‘OccupyParliament’ and the ‘OcuppyCBD’ march in the Nairobi city centre.

Police have however warned protesters against accessing protected areas.

Acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja late Monday said while it is every Kenyan’s right to protest, they must take note of the legal boundaries that govern access to protected areas.

“The Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of Kenya prevents the entry of unauthorized persons into areas which have been declared to be protected areas... [They] include the LPG Plant, the Bitumen Plant and Petroleum depots situated at the Embakasi Aviation Depot (JKIA),” the police boss said in a statement.

He added that the Kenya Civil Aviation Act provides that anyone who trespasses on any land forming part of a government aerodrome or an aerodrome commits an offence punishable by law.

“We urge all individuals participating in demonstrations to respect these legal provisions and refrain from attempting to enter or interfere with protected areas. The National Police Service is resolute in its commitment to uphold and enforce these laws,” Kanja said.

JKIA is the main gateway into Kenya and is the busiest airport in East Africa.

It is the hub of Kenya Airways, which it serves alongside other such airlines as Emirates, Turkish Airways, British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.