Kenyans Online React as New Video Exposes Bad State of JKIA Terminal When it Rains

Kenyans on social media have called out the government after a video taken on Sunday exposed how passengers suffer at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when it rains.

The video shared on Twitter by activist Boniface Mwangi showed passengers being rained on while boarding their flights at the airport’s newly constructed terminal. Mwangi said the contractor behind the terminal should be arrested and prosecuted for constructing what he described as a “cowshed.”

"Whoever designed and those who built Jomo Kenyatta International Airport "new wing" deserve to be prosecuted and jailed. They built Kenya a badly designed cowshed. Seven million passengers use this shame of an airport every year," he tweeted.

His tweet elicited reactions from online users, with many agreeing with him that the terminal was poorly done.

@Jackie_Arkle said: “No place to shelter from the rain! Exposing us to the cold. We need to jail whoever designed all our airports!”

@mwirigiboss noted: “ @KenyaAirports needs to be called out, where did the millions go, we deserve better for our taxes.”

@Ekimwaki stated: “No wonder Rwanda is becoming a prime destination for foreign investors the corruption and selfishness in Kenya is just overwhelming.”

@JoyDoreenBiira tweeted: “I always feel for passengers on wheelchairs and those carrying toddlers when it rains at the airport.”

@Aar_onkim wrote: “Terminal 1E is built like a greenhouse. When it rains it leaks. On hot days it is worse as it has no ventilation.”

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua tweeted: “I usually do not agree with Boniface’s activist theatrics but this time I am with him 100%. What a shame - this “modern” airport is not value for money. You should see the airport toilets in Malindi, Lamu, Nairobi domestic etc. Embarrassing! Surely, we can do better as a country.”

@SoniMwangi stated: “I agree totally.JKIA is like a market place and when it rains its worse. Wish Kenya could borrow from our neighbor Tanzania-Julius Nyerere International Airport Dar esalam.”

Replying to Mwangi's tweet, Kenya Airports Authority said: "Hello Boniface, thank you for your feedback. We hear you and take this chance to sincerely apologise to you and to all our customers for the lack of shelters at the JKIA drop off zone, especially during this rain season."

"We have projects in place to improve the passenger journey at JKIA, including installation of canopies covering walkways, drop off points & meet & greet areas to protect airport users from adverse weather conditions. The contractor is on the ground & these works are underway," KAA added.