
Kenyan Government Introduces Major Reforms to Improve Airport Operations
The government of Kenya has introduced several changes to improve airport operations, including using body-worn cameras for customs officers and other key measures to enhance efficiency and transparency.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir announced the reforms on Friday, January 30, stating that all Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs officers will be required to wear body cameras starting July 1. This move is aimed at ensuring transparency and efficiency in customs operations at airports.
Additionally, Chirchir directed that all staff working for Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), KRA, Immigration, Port Health, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), the Ministry of Tourism, the National Police Service, and retail concessionaires must wear uniforms and name tags within two weeks.
“Further customer service training will be provided for all staff of agencies operating at the airport,” stated Chirchir.
Expansion and Technological Improvements at JKIA
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the flagship airport of KAA, serves over 40 passenger airlines and 25 cargo airlines. To improve efficiency, the government has announced the doubling of immigration booths and staff at JKIA within the next 90 days. This aims to speed up passenger clearance and reduce overcrowding.
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The duty-free limit has also been increased from Ksh50,000 to Ksh250,000, offering more flexibility for travelers.
To enhance security and operational efficiency, Kenya will implement advanced passenger information systems. The government is also introducing electronic self-clearance gates (e-Gates) to facilitate faster and more efficient immigration processing.
In a move welcomed by travelers, Chirchir stated that only bags flagged by security scanners will be opened in a dedicated screening room, reducing unnecessary delays and improving the passenger experience.
Streamlining Travel for African Citizens
The reforms follow a Cabinet decision to exempt all African citizens from Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirements. Chirchir revealed that multiple-entry ETA and expedited ETA processing have already been operationalized.
The government plans to deploy technology to monitor and ensure accountability for all staff working at JKIA, aiming to enhance service delivery and improve the overall airport experience for travelers.