Hope as KAA concludes testing of backup generators at JKIA

The Kenya Airports Authority has concluded the upgrade process of the backup generator system at JKIA giving hope in the mitigation efforts of frequent power failures at the facility.

The generators which have been undergoing testing are expected to go a long way in addressing the problem that has been facing the busiest air travel hub.

KAA chairperson Caleb Kositany while inspecting the system at the JKIA’s M station Monday expressed his commitment to maintaining uninterrupted operations at the facility.

“This system will bolster the airport's uninterrupted power supply protocols, improving operational efficiency and safety standards at the facility,” he said.

During the testing phase, engineers and technicians examined the generators' performance under various conditions, ensuring they meet the highest standards of reliability.

The State Corporations Advisory Committee board chair Philiph Mongóny also toured the facility last week to evaluate the upgrades, including the roof rehabilitation project.

JKIA has experienced major blackouts in the recent past, including one on August 26, 2023, that lasted two hours with key services and operations becoming paralysed during the period.

This saw Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen terminate the contract of the then-managing director Alex Gitari and reshuffle some other airport managers as he ordered an immediate commissioning of two procured generators.

When KAA acting managing director Henry Ogoye appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Transport to explain the outage, he revealed that Sh162 million was used to procure the generators.

Ogoye, who was then the head of corporate planning, told the MPs the contract for the supply of the generators procured three years ago had been terminated.

Out of the total contract sum, Ogoye disclosed that KAA had paid Sh110 million to the contractor before its termination.

"We had a challenge with the performance of that contract. We had paid Sh110 million and the remaining amount was for commissioning," Ogoye said.

The contract was issued in 2020 and it involved the supply, installation, and commissioning of two standby generators and their associated automatic changeover switches, fuel storage, reticulation and maintenance.

During the meeting, Principal Secretary Mohammed Dagar informed the MPs that engineers to commission the generators were already on site.