Former Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has revealed he is unable to return to Kenya after his flight from Saudi Arabia to Nairobi was canceled amid the continuing disruption affecting flights through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a statement dated August 31, Nyakera said he had no clear indication of when he would get home.
“I am currently stuck at the airport in Saudi Arabia after our flight to Nairobi last night was canceled, with no idea when we will get home,” Nyakera said.
The politicians also argued that flight disruptions at JKIA were costly to the country’s economy.
According to the former PS, stranded tourists, delayed cargo, and disrupted business operations are costing the country millions of shillings every hour that passes without resolution.
Citing the disruptions and their expected impact on the Kenyan economy, Nyakera has called on the government to intervene to resolve the issue urgently.
Publics Turn on Irungu Nyakera
Nyakera’s statement on flight disruptions sparked a largely critical online reaction, with several users focusing on his previous role as Transport PS.
Some commenters questioned what he had done to improve airport operations while serving in government, calling out his hypocrisy in demanding action.
“But you were a former PS who should have helped in streamlining the airport operations,” a user commented.
Additionally, others accused Nyakera of opposing airport modernization, while some commenters raised the controversy surrounding the proposed Adani deal.
While most of the public focused on the roles Irungu Nyakera was supposed to play as the PS, James Thiongo noted that the government should listen to workers’ concerns to solve the ongoing disruptions.
Kenyans Report Being Affected by Flight Disruption
In addition to Irungu Nyakera being stranded, Bernard Mwinzi, a Kenyan commentator, said he was stuck at Kigali International Airport for about six hours while traveling on Kenya Airways flight KQ471.
Mwinzi explained that passengers had missed connecting flights and later linked the disruption to the industrial action by workers at JKIA.
Dr Ahmed Kalebi, a medical professional, also reported being delayed at Malindi Airport and eventually boarding a Jambojet flight to Nairobi after almost five hours of uncertainty.
According to Kalebi, the captain attributed the delay to the go-slow involving KCAA and KAA workers and warned passengers that further delays could occur on arrival at JKIA.
Kalebi also criticized the communication around the disruption, arguing that travelers should have received earlier and clearer information from the relevant authorities and airlines.
Passengers at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Malindi Airport, and other airports have also experienced delays as the disruption at JKIA affects aircraft rotations and connecting flights.
JKIA Disruption
Nyakera’s experience comes as aviation workers resume industrial action, causing widespread disruption at JKIA and other airports.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) resumed its strike on August 30 after accusing the government of failing to honor commitments contained in an agreement reached when an earlier strike was suspended.
The action has affected workers at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and Jambojet, according to the airlines.
Hundreds of passengers spent the night at JKIA as airlines struggled to deal with delayed and disrupted flights.
In addition, some passengers were being transferred to hotels on August 31 as airlines worked on alternative arrangements.
Kenya Airways has also confirmed that the disruption has affected its operations. In an update issued on August 30, the national carrier said operational constraints in Air Traffic Control services were causing delays to and from JKIA.
By 5 pm, Kenya Airways said its scheduled flights had departed, but with an average delay of two to three hours.
Earlier in the day, the airline reported that only about 30 percent of its scheduled flights had departed by 2 pm, with subsequent flights facing delays of more than three hours.
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