KAA Chairman Mutuma Mugambi says the JKIA Parking Garage will immediately be converted into a Passengers Arrival Hall/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 15 – The Kenya Airports Authority plans to ensure that passengers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) move out of the temporary lounges within three weeks.
KAA Chairman Mutuma Mugambi says the JKIA Parking Garage will immediately be converted into a Passengers Arrival Hall.
“The board notes that JKIA is critical facility of national and regional importance and we together with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will support the management of the authority to ensure that passengers are restored to a normal level of comfort in the shortest time possible,” he said.
Mugambi said Unit 2 Departures between Gates 8 and 4 will be open for use by Kenya Airways by Friday.
He revealed that the completion of Terminal 4 is being expedited to bring it into partial operation by the end of this year and the planning and construction process for the Greenfield Terminal is in progress.
“The Greenfield Terminal is the ultimate solution for the positioning of JKIA as an African Hub,” he said.
He said that a temporary terminal will be imported and set up within eight weeks.
He further revealed that KAA Managing Director Stephen Gichuki has been replaced in an acting capacity by Lucy Mbugua who previously headed the Marketing and Business Development section for the last eight years.
Gichuki, whose term was set to end on October 23, has proceeded on leave.
“The outgoing Managing Director, Stephen Gichuki, will proceed on his terminal leave in accordance with the State Corporations and Regulations provisions,” Mugambi said.
Mugambi told a media conference on Thursday that the position will be advertised in the media in the next few days.
“The board has decided to follow due process in the recruitment of a new Managing Director and will advertise for the position,” he said.
The changes come barely a week after fire gutted down a large part of the international arrivals and departure lounges.
