Gachagua fingers Uhuru, defends Murkomen in JKIA mess
By Hilary KimuyuDeputy President Rigathi Gachagua has again accused former president Uhuru Kenyatta of the infrastructural challenges at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Speaking at the 30th Convention of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya and the 18th World Council of Engineers at Pride Inn Beach Resort, Mombasa, the DP defended Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for saying on Tuesday that it was Uhuru’s tenure that was to blame for poor work by contractors and engineers.
“I’ve seen some people castigate CS Murkomen because of what he said about JKIA leaking roofs… people in this country are allergic to truth. A massive cost was spent on JKIA but today it’s a shame,” he said.
He said JKIA was renovated at a massive cost, but today it is a shame, public resources were used but when you go there, you feel sorry adding that it was a disgrace to the profession of engineering and architecture.
“JKIA was done at a massive cost, but today it is a disgrace to the profession of engineering and architecture. Public funds were spent and when you go there, you feel sorry, but engineers and architects were certified, and based on that certification, payments were made,” he said.
Professionals should be held accountable for lapses and for misleading the taxpayer by certifying shoddy jobs and probably becoming criminally comfortable.
His remarks came a day after CS blamed the former Jubilee government that was headed by Uhuru and his then deputy, William Ruto (now President of the Kenya Kwanza government) for the embarrassing leaking roof at the recently renovated international terminals 1C and 1E at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
CS Murkomen claimed the previous regime handled projects in which substandard works were done; but that contractors will return to the site to fix the mess.
His statement came after a video went viral of flooded floors at the international departure terminals, right where passengers line up to check in before traveling abroad.
The roof was falling apart and staff had placed baggage check containers on the floor to try and collect the water but it was an exercise in futility.
CS Murkomen also claimed the leaking roofs were a result of burst water pipes running in the ceiling in the terminal.
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