Gachagua Blames Uhuru’s Govt For JKIA Generator Issues, Pushes For Modernization

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reignited tensions with Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, attributing the recent malfunctions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) generators to faulty equipment installed by the previous government.

Speaking at the annual Kimalel goat auction in Baringo County, Gachagua defended Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, stating that blaming him for the generator failures was unfair. He labeled the equipment as “fake,” claiming it shuts down whenever activated.

“This Kipchumba is trying hard,” Gachagua declared in Swahili. “People are criticizing him, saying he should resign because of the generators. Did he buy them? It’s the previous government who did that. Now, when they try to power it up, it crashes. So, Kipchumba, buy your own generator and install it, leave theirs alone. Isn’t this young man trying? Stop interfering with leaders for no reason because we found many things were messed up, and now we are trying to fix them.”

Gachagua’s remarks shift the blame for JKIA’s power woes from the current administration to the past, potentially reigniting political tensions. However, he doesn’t stop at criticism. He offered Murkomen two solutions: acquire a new generator to replace the allegedly faulty one, or construct a completely new airport that meets international standards and elevates Kenya’s global image.

This proposal throws the ball back into Murkomen’s court, urging him to take decisive action and move beyond the limitations of the existing infrastructure. It remains to be seen whether Murkomen will pursue Gachagua’s suggestions and tackle the JKIA power issues head-on, and whether this will lead to further developments in Kenya’s airport infrastructure.