Cherargei Blasts Murkomen Over JKIA Blackouts: "Ministry Neglect, Not Sabotage!"

In a fiery exchange, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sharply criticized Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen's attribution of recent blackouts at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to sabotage. Cherargei argues that these outages are a direct result of the Ministry's neglect, accusing Murkomen of offering "non-sensical excuses" to deflect responsibility.

"The CS is playing a blame game," Cherargei declared in a scathing video address. "He claims sabotage without a shred of evidence, while conveniently ignoring the Ministry's own failures in infrastructure maintenance. This is the third blackout at JKIA in just four months! Each time, the excuse changes, but the underlying problem remains the same – lack of proper planning and proactive investment."

Cherargei pointed to the contrasting statements of Murkomen and Energy and Petroleum CS Davis Chirchir, who attributed the blackouts to overloaded power lines. "This is a clear case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing," Cherargei stated. "The Ministry should focus on addressing the root causes of these blackouts, not resorting to conspiracy theories."

The Senator further questioned the efficiency of the contingency measures in place at JKIA. "A major international airport should not be crippled by a power outage," he emphasized. "Where were the backup generators? Why did it take hours to restore normalcy? These are the questions the Ministry should be answering, not pointing fingers at imaginary saboteurs."

Cherargei's scathing criticism reflects growing frustration with the repeated blackouts at JKIA, which have disrupted travel plans and tarnished the country's image as a reliable aviation hub. His call for accountability and a focus on infrastructural improvements resonates with many Kenyans who demand better management of critical public facilities.

Murkomen, however, has maintained his stance, urging security agencies to investigate the possibility of sabotage while promising to upgrade backup systems at JKIA. The differing perspectives from Cherargei and Murkomen highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the cause of the blackouts and the necessary steps to prevent future occurrences. The onus now lies on the Ministry to address these concerns head-on and ensure the smooth operation of JKIA, Kenya's vital gateway to the world.