Instant power backup to be available in airports in the next 30 days, KAA says

The move, according to the airport authority, is aimed at enhancing the readiness of the international airport to swiftly provide backup support in the event of a power interruption.

This comes after JKIA experienced a disruption in power supply due to a nationwide outage from the national grid on Saturday, November 11.

In a statement on X, KAA revealed that the airport's backup generators were activated, fully restoring power within 8-20 minutes.

“At approximately 8 PM today, JKIA experienced a disruption in power supply due to an outage from the national grid. The airport’s backup generators were activated, with full restoration of power occurring within 8-20 minutes,” the statement read.

KAA said that other airports reinstated their power supply in a considerably shorter duration.

"The synchronization of the outstanding backup power supply is scheduled to be completed in the next 30 days in readiness for instant backup support in the event of any power interruption," said the authority. 

The incident coincided with a broader power outage affecting various parts of the country, with Kenya Power addressing the situation and assuring the public that efforts were underway to restore normalcy.

The disruption at JKIA raised concerns amongst Kenyans left stranded at the facility, marking the second such incident in three months.

This situation is particularly noteworthy considering Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen's prior commitment to preventing future outages at the international airport.

In August 2023, Murkomen dismissed key personnel at KAA, including the Managing Director and General Manager of Project and Engineering Services, following a similar power outage.

The transport CS attributed the changes to management challenges resulting in operational mishaps and announced the reshuffling of high-ranking airport personnel. 

He assured the public that flight operations remained unaffected, emphasizing the seamless deployment of backup generators for essential services is in place.