Audit Report on US-Kenya Direct Flights to be Finalised in March, Says Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau

Eng. Michael Kamau

The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) could soon start receiving direct flights from America once the ongoing audit by US authorities is completed by March, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau has said.

Eng Kamau said already, a team of auditors from the US are currently assessing the airport’s capacity and safety measures. The CS was optimistic that JKIA has the necessary facilities and will be approved by US authorities, giving way for direct flights between Kenya and the US.

Mr Kamau cited improved regulations in the local aviation sector and security improvements at the JKIA that have raised the country’s prospects for the long-awaited flights. “We are working closely with the US authorities. They are assessing our facilities and reviewing the airport’s safety conditions and very soon, we will start flying directly to the US,” Mr Kamau said. He said the Government has had fruitful talks with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the Transport Safety Authority about progress towards JKIA attaining FAA’s Category One Status.” JKIA was recently ranked as the leading cargo terminal in Africa. This is no mean achievement for the country’s agricultural sector, especially horticulture. This means that our farmers will be delivering their flowers, coffee and other products to the US market,” the CS said.

He said insecurity remains a challenge for the country’s key infrastructure projects and installations, noting that it was derailing the ministry’s programmes. “Without security, we cannot do any business and I urge all those in charge to ensure we up the game and ensure all properties and people are safe,” explained the CS.

Mr Kamau was speaking at the Kenya School ofMonetary Studies during the Transport and Infrastructure consultative meeting of parastatal and heads of departments under his ministry convened to review performance of departments under the Transport ministry.

He said plans were underway to construct an additional runway at JKIA and upgrade Wilson Airport to help in times ofemergencies. He refuted claims that Tanzania’s vans have been barred from picking and dropping passengers at JKIA.

“The issue is about picking of passengers. There is a bilateral agreement on this issue and it’s a matter of reciprocity as agreed by the two countries on how passengers should be picked and dropped at the airports,” Mr Kamau said.

Passenger capacity

Among the ministry’s key achievements last year included opening of Terminal 1A at JKIA that has increased the airport’s passenger capacity to 2.5 million, the Standard Gauge Railway and the Mombasa port getting into the league of ports handling over one million containers. Mr Kamau said the ministry will commission the expansion of Outering Road into four lanes.

The expansion of Langata Road has been put on hold to allow compensation for those whose property were demolished.

He warned Matatus that have not installed the cashless system will not be inspected and their licences will not be renewed, noting the State had extended the deadline to enable operators comply. “There is no going back on the issue of cash-less system. Any vehicle that has not complied risks being banned from the road once it comes for inspection,” he said.

- standardmedia.co.ke