By Nurat Uthman
Alex Gitari, the head of Kenya’s airports authority, has been dismissed from his position following a power outage that left passengers stranded in
darkness for hours at Nairobi’s main airport. Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who apologized for the chaos, is responsible for Gitari’s dismissal.
Murkomen also acknowledged that political interference has resulted in a demoralized and disorganized workforce in the country.
The nationwide power cut, which began on Friday, has not been fully explained by the majority state-owned power company. While power has been restored in some areas, many homes and businesses across the country are still affected.
The lack of functioning back-up generators at the main airport has sparked outrage among Kenyans on social media.
In addition to Gitari, another senior official from the civil aviation authority has been fired, and the manager of Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has been demoted to a position at Mombasa’s main airport.
The failure of the digital payment system has also caused chaotic scenes and long queues at the entrances to Kenya’s national parks.
Although power cuts are not uncommon in Kenya, a widespread outage affecting Nairobi’s main airport, hospitals, and even State House is unusual.
Corruption is often blamed when things go wrong in Kenya, as the country has long suffered from the misappropriation of public funds.
According to the transport minister, two generators acquired for the airport two years ago have not yet been commissioned, raising questions about their cost, the contract recipient, and the delay in installation.
