Larry Madowo Claps Back At Kipchumba Murkomen After Downplaying JKIA Mess: "Premium Gaslighting"

• CNN international correspondent Larry Madowo has responded to CS Kipchumba Murkomen's statement about the current state of JKIA
• Madowo has constantly been complaining on social media about leaking roofs and the lack of a canopy at the airport's exit
• Kipchumba Murkomen had instructed Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to replace leaking roofs at JKIA and Wilson Airport in 2023

Journalist Larry Madowo has voiced his dissatisfaction with Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen's assertion regarding his observations of the faults at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

What Kipchumba Murkomen told Larry Madowo

The CNN international correspondent has constantly been complaining on social media about leaking roofs and the lack of a canopy at JKIA's exit, resulting in travellers being rained on.

However, speaking to Citizen TV, Murkomen remarked that Madowo had resided in Kenya for the previous 50 years without raising concerns about JKIA, but after traveling abroad, his perspective suddenly shifted.

"It happens to all of us when we travel. Those questions should have been asked since 1978, " Murkomen said.

The CS noted that Madowo's post regarding the absence of shade at JKIA's exit to protect passengers is not breaking news, but a longstanding issue.

How Larry Madowo responded to Murkomen

In a rejoinder, the journalist took issue with the Transport boss's comments, accusing him of downplaying significant concerns.

" JKIA is 66 meaning it is 30 years older than me. You don't need pre-election to build canopies for the exiting ones," Madowo stated.

Madowo countered Murkomen's claim, stating that he began raising concerns about JKIA 10 years ago, contrary to Murkomen's assertion that his criticisms only arose after relocating from the country.

He backed up his retort with a series of tweets documenting his past criticisms of Kenya's leading airport.

Kipchumba Murkomen's delayed plan to fix JKIA

On December 1, 2023, Murkomen instructed Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to replace leaking roofs at JKIA and Wilson Airport and acquire new 3D screening equipment that will not require the opening of bags.

The CS said that he had also directed KAA to unclog the drainages at the said airports, including Moi International Airport (MIA).

Further, Murkomen asked the authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, to map out the parcels of land belonging to JKIA, MIA and Wilson and protect them from encroachment.

However, on April 10, Madowo exposed that the leaking roof problem was yet to be solved.

In a video, Madowo explained how difficult it is for passengers to walk after alighting when it rains.

The celebrated journalist wondered how long it would take for JKIA to fix the leaking roof, build shelters and drainage systems.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke