KENYA: Nairobi Senator Gideon Mbuvi Sonko wants a Senate committee to probe two incidents of security breach at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ( JKIA) in Nairobi.
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko Mbuvi
Sonko pointed out that the recent fire that gutted the international arrivals terminal at JKIA and the hiring of over 350 goons to demolish the Duty Free Shops without being subjected to security checks were major security lapses.
The senator in a letter to the National Security and Foreign Relations Committee said the security lapses could have serious ramifications on the economy and tourism sector and called for exposure of those involved. “The two recent incidents at the airport pose serious security threat to the country and can lead to economic and tourism ramifications and should be adequately addressed and those responsible for the recklessness, impunity and breach of the law brought to book,” he said.
On the demolition of the Duty Free shops, Sonko claimed hired goons were allowed to roam freely within the landside and airside parts of the terminal while the CCTV cameras were switched off.
The senator accused Kenya Airports Authority of demolishing the shops despite a court order dated July 30, which had prohibited the Authority from repossessing the premises. In the letter dated August 7, Sonko alleged that hired goons carried out the destruction without any supervision from authorities.
By Isaiah Lucheli, The Standard
