Kenyan Traveler Ridicules Juba International Airport, Leaves South Sudan Aviation Authority Ashamed

• South Sudanese nationals have criticised their civil aviation authority for neglecting Juba International Airport (JIA)
• This is after Kenyan businesswoman Atieno Otieno ridiculed the airport's poor infrastructure
• They blamed the authority for embarrassing the country at its primary international gateway

Juba International Airport (JIA) is under intense criticism after a Kenyan traveller publicly ridiculed its poor state.

It all started when businesswoman Atieno Otieno recently visited South Sudan and was frustrated at its primary international gateway.

JIA's poor state of infrastructure

Atieno shared a post on Facebook ridiculing the perceived neglect of the airport's infrastructure and services.

The travel and lifestyle influencer equated JIA to Kisii town, adding that she had never seen such chaos at an airport before.

Atieno further described her surprise at the lack of proper security procedures, noting:

"I was surprised that I wasn't asked to scan my luggage. We were told to open our bags and the security guys did a manual check."

Why Atieno likened JIA to Kisii town

However, it wasn't just the security that alarmed Atieno; the state of the airport’s exterior left a lasting impression.

She compared the scene to a chaotic and crowded bus station, far from the standards expected of an international airport.

"Then we got out on the other side and what I saw outside shook me. Picture Machakos Bus Station," she wrote.

When reached for comment, Atieno told TUKO.co.ke that Juba is extremely hot, yet the airport has no air conditioning, which makes it uncomfortable.

She was, however, quick to add that all is not dull and gloom, as she picked several positives from the up-and-coming nation.

How JIA embarrasses South Sudan

The criticism has brought attention to the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority, with many calling it out for only focusing on collecting landing fees.

Hot in Juba reports that the authority has been in the spotlight for prioritising revenue generation over essential airport improvements.

JIA has long been an embarrassment to South Sudan, with issues ranging from a flooded runway to piles of rotting waste just outside the terminal.

These problems poorly reflect on the airport and the country’s image.

Larry Madowo exposes JKIA's leaking roof

Meanwhile, journalist Larry Madowo shared a video of the pathetic drainage system at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

According to Madowo, passengers are always inconvenienced each time it rains, as the government has not fixed leaking roofs.

The celebrated CNN international correspondent vowed to continue sharing videos on the state of JKIA until the issues are addressed.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke