KAA dismisses claims of security breach, goon deployment at Kisumu International Airport

This comes after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, both members of the rival Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) faction, claimed that goons were allowed inside the airport to disrupt them ahead of a political rally in Kakamega.

In a rebuttal on Monday, KAA clarified that there were no "organized unlawful elements" present within the airport and all access control measures remained fully operational, strictly enforced in accordance with KAA security protocols and national civil aviation security regulations. 

"The Airport Security Committee and the Border Management Committee (BMC), working jointly with state security agencies, maintained full situational awareness and operational control throughout the period," KAA said in a statement.

The Authority further stated that there was no disturbance caused on Saturday and there was no compromise to passenger safety, aircraft operations, or airport infrastructure.

Sifuna had earlier said that his team was set to land at KIA from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when they got wind of the security breach and were forced to change their destination. 

Reports indicate that the team landed at the Kakamega Airport.

"How they allowed goons to barricade the airport needs to be explained," he noted, claiming that their flight information was leaked to the Ministry of Interior.

Likewise, MP Owino claimed that Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo sponsored violence at KIA. He alleged that the group was armed with crude weapons as they waited.

He intimated that he reached out to PS Omollo directly, accusing him of attempting to engineer clashes.

“I texted Raymond Omollo…,” Owino said, adding that he had warned the PS against what he described as “immature” tactics.

Sifuna has led the nationwide Linda Mwananchi tour, which has been marred with incidents of violence and two deaths, as they have blamed the government for sponsoring youth groups to cause chaos in their public rallies.

They have maintained that they will not relent in their mission of transforming the nation through public engagements.

Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the violent incidents, faulting political leaders for choreographing violence to seek sympathy.

This comedy of going to meetings with teargas and carrying goons armed with knives and batons, that we will deal with firmly," he said during a church service in Kericho County on Sunday.