JKIA Temporarily Shut Down Amid Chaos as Raila Odinga’s Body Arrives from India
he situation having escalated to a boiling point, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) issued an emergency alert announcing a temporary shutdown
The alert went on to note that the highest number of mourners to enter restricted areas necessitated the precautionary suspension to ensure passengers, crew, and staff were safe. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) came to a standstill on Thursday morning after the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived from India, triggering massive chaos and security lapses.
The Kenya Airways aircraft that had transported Odinga’s body landed about 9:30 a.m., drawing thousands of followers who had congregated to bid him welcome back. The mourners, some of whom carried sticks and sang liberation songs, overflowed not only the terminals but also the airside section of the airport — a highly restricted area meant for airplane activity.
The witnesses reported that emotional fans broke several levels of security as they attempted to access the plane carrying Odinga’s coffin. Some mourners were said to be riding motorbikes and speeding on taxiways, creating a rough environment that prompted the authorities to halt regular airport operations.
In Citizen Digital eyewitness reports, security officials were overwhelmed as crowds broke fences, and there was a complete breakdown of order on the runway. Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri at one time was seen on camera instructing the crowd to be calm and provide the military and airport authorities space to perform the formal reception of Odinga’s body.
Journalists on the ground also witnessed mourners climbing aerobridges and airport machinery, flag-waving and chanting pro-Odinga chants as the aircraft’s passengers alighted.
The situation having escalated to a boiling point, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) issued an emergency alert announcing a temporary shutdown of all operations at JKIA for security purposes.
JKIA operations have been temporarily suspended after a security incident occurred after the airport received the remains of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga,” part of the statement issued by KCAA around 11 a.m. stated.
The alert went on to note that the highest number of mourners to enter restricted areas necessitated the precautionary suspension to ensure passengers, crew, and staff were safe.
KCAA assured travelers that normal operation would resume once the facility had been certified safe, placing an estimated waiting time of approximately two hours.
Meanwhile, due to the huge number of mourners who turned up unexpectedly, public viewing arrangements within Parliament Buildings were altered. The viewing was shifted to Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani to accommodate large numbers of people willing to pay their last respects to the opposition leader.
Raila Odinga, a veteran statesman and pillar of Kenya’s politics for decades, died in Kochi, India, on Wednesday morning after collapsing while receiving treatment. His return to Kenya has been met with an overwhelming deluge of tributes and emotions as millions of Kenyans testified to how deeply he touched them.
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