Kenyans Slam CS Murkomen For Claiming Govt Has No Money To Repair JKIA's Leaking Roof

• Heavy rains in Nairobi hit Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), resulting in leaking roofs and flooding cargo bays at the airport
• Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen said the government allocated an austere budget to Kenya Airport Authorities (KAA) since the country must live within its means
• Kenyans took issues with the CS sentiments, questioning why the leaking roof is yet to be repaired, yet KAA collects revenues

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has urged Kenyans to be content with the state of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Murkomen challenged Kenyans to wear the shoes of someone running a government institution with limited resources.

Why Kenya is yet to repair the leaking roof at JKIA

The CS faulted Kenyans posting images showing the sorry state of the airport on the internet after it was hit by heavy rains, resulting in flooding and leaking of the roof.

"You need to ask yourself how much money has been allocated to KAA for the construction of the airport before you get to the internet and post pictures.

"I have told KAA the country is going through a difficult moment. We are spending KSh 1.3 trillion to pay debts, KSh 1.2 trillion on wage bills, and KSh 400 billion to pay county governments. That gives you about KSh 3 trillion against the tax collected. As a nation, we must improve our infrastructure within our means... a leaking roof is a small issue," said Murkomen.

Murkomen applauded KAA for managing repairs at Terminals 1B and 1C on a small budget.

What Kenyans said about Murkomen's JKIA responses

The CS sentiments sparked debate among Kenyans, who faulted the government for giving a deaf to the issues at JKIA.

@jessykigen said:

"He is right we should live within our means. But I beg to differ when he wears flashy glasses, pants, shoes, watches and cars from hard-earned money from taxpayers. Everything he says is ironic to the core. At this point, he is just blabbing."

@normanondego wondered:

"Live within our means in deed!"

@Ithoka argued:

"It must be sweet being in government and talk of paying out taxes like it's one's own money! JKIA, as a unit, collects cash from planes and travellers. Leaking roofs should be sorted out and not explained.

@SnrFaya said:

"CS Murkomen will go down in history as being among those who failed President William Ruto."

@p_rotich claimed:

"KAA is estimated to generate close to 20B every year, where does this money go?

@AgathaWambui wondered:

"He can't fix the small things like a leaking roof, but he's hell-bent on building a brand new terminal. Do we need a new terminal, really? with such huge debts, or it's all about the fabricated cost aftermath."

@bnakuti asked:

"Does KAA generate revenue? I won't be surprised if admin costs are 80% of expenses incurred."

@s_robato said:

"Just a fraction of the money spent by the statehouse this year could have permanently fixed that JKIA's leaking roof."

@zoloelik24024 noted:

"Leaking roof of an international facility is a thing that should have been sorted out by yesterday."

@FredK06065865 said:

"It's just a shame, the name itself (JK International Airport) should place the infrastructure to the highest standards. Hii story ya sijui budget ni story za abunuasi."

Are there repairs at JKIA?

Murkomen inspected ongoing repairs at the airport on Tuesday, April 30, assuring a steady supply of electricity.

He said that KAA has built a roof above Terminals 1B and 1C, which will solve the perennial leakages at the airport.

The CS noted the move will create more capacity at the facility for a new arrival terminal and lounges as KAA prepares to decommission Terminal 1E.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.