Kenya Implements Airport Charter To Boost Efficiency And Security
The government has introduced an airport charter aimed at improving operational efficiency through better coordination among agencies.
In a joint statement on Friday, Cabinet Secretaries Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport), John Mbadi (National Treasury), Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), and Rebecca Miano (Tourism) announced that the charter will take effect within seven days.
The charter outlines governance structures, an escalation mechanism, and a monitoring and evaluation framework.
It also enhances risk profiling through an advanced passenger information system, ensuring that only flagged bags will be opened in a designated screening room.
The government has also rolled out an advanced passenger information system to strengthen border security and streamline operations, in line with a UN resolution. Additionally, all African citizens are now exempt from Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirements.
To ease passenger travel, the duty-free threshold has been raised from Sh50,000 to Sh250,000, reducing customs bottlenecks. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will also equip airport customs officers with body-worn cameras from July 1 and enhance staff training to improve transparency and efficiency.
To further speed up immigration processing, the number of booths at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will be doubled within 90 days.
“We have rolled out a common action plan to improve passenger experience at JKIA and other airports through a charter which will enhance operational efficiency while ensuring safety and security,” the statement reads.
“We shall also, within 90 days, double immigration booths at JKIA along with a corresponding increase in staff, to expedite passenger clearance and reduce overcrowding. Electronic self-clearance gates (e-Gates) will also be installed to facilitate faster and more efficient immigration processing.”
The CSs also directed that all staff from agencies including the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), KRA, Immigration, Port Health, KEPHIS, Tourism, National Police Service, and retail concessionaires must wear uniforms and name tags within two weeks.