Kenya power cuts: Airports boss sacked as tourists left stranded

Alex Gitari, head of Kenya's airports authority, fired by Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen after a power cut left passengers stranded in darkness at Nairobi's main airport.

Political interference blamed for demoralized and disorganized workforce within the authority.

[{"selector":"#anim-bd20abfc-7ef8-4179-afa0-ac6f985b3a8f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Majority state-owned power company has not explained the exact cause of the countrywide power cut.

[{"selector":"#anim-0cb89d4e-2f80-4ac9-8b9d-4f84d86f7b38 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Widespread power outage affects homes and businesses across the country since Friday. Tourism contributes about 10% to Kenya's GDP; sector is a top source of hard currency.

[{"selector":"#anim-4077e542-687a-4f71-8dbd-84411c991474 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Outrage on social media as main airport lacks functioning backup generators.Senior civil aviation authority official sacked, and Nairobi's airport manager demoted following the incident.

[{"selector":"#anim-dff577f1-25cc-42f7-8b58-98b29c7c5669 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.748670102017595%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Chaotic scenes and long queues at national park entrances due to digital payment system failure.Extended countrywide power outage is unusual; impacts main airport, hospitals, and State House.

Corruption often blamed for hindering progress in Kenya; public funds mismanagement a long-standing issue.

[{"selector":"#anim-df276f7e-8cfb-4ef3-b653-2c0eb9d9f8aa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-736ed705-461e-48b7-bf7a-6839eb39bd18 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.239361612560685%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Two generators purchased for the airport two years ago remain uncommissioned; questions about their cost, contracting, and installation arise.

[{"selector":"#anim-cdcfd1f9-a315-4245-a379-e39cc38e6e72 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.138808043289785%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Kenya's airports authority head sacked after power cut leaves passengers stranded at Nairobi's main airport; Transport Minister apologizes for chaos and cites political interference.

[{"selector":"#anim-3556c7a2-fac8-4fc1-8373-6fe71955d656 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] For more such interesting stuff click here swipe up