A move by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to allow bidders for a tender to supply security equipment to access key security installments at the country’s major airports has now raised fears of breach of security protocol.
During a pre-tender meeting last month, the institution allowed bidders for for the supply, installation, of camera surveillance security system at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport and Wilson Airports.
Insiders have questioned the rationale behind allowing bidders to access key security installations as it could significantly jeopardise the country’s security. Bidders made site visits and attended pre-tender meetings at Moi International Airport on September 22, 2017, JKIA September 25, 2017 and Wilson Airport on September 26, 2017.
Further, the potential contractors were given access to VIP restricted areas at both Wilson Airport and JKIA. “Kenya Airport Authority officials took bidders to key security installations at JKIA and Wilson without any vetting taking place.
Prior due diligence of all the bidders should have been carried out before being allowed in.,” A highly placed source privy with the goings on said. In the last few years, KAA has invested heavily to safeguard the civil aviation sector with installation of state of the art security and surveillance systems and scanners.
“The aviation security is a combination of material and human resources, and the handling of the said tender process was wanting in security terms,” our source added. In October 2013, mysterious fierce fire gutted JKIA in what police investigations pointed to an electric fault.
The main building of international arrivals, a section of departure lounges and immigration unit respectively saw complete shut down and indefinite suspension flights in the vital installation.
JKIA was in February given Category One status following several audit processes by the US’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Earlier, Kenya had failed to meet a number of conditions, delaying commencement of flights in August last year.