sdb2

There was a fire at Nairobi Airport that will no doubt affect some travelers to Kenya. See: http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/world/...l?c=homepage-t

scootr29

Yea this would suck...wonder if trip insurance covers the airport burning down. I was about a second away from going to Kenya in Feb for safari, but we decided on Botswana instead.

Leely2

Terrible news for Kenya which needs its tourism. Glad that they do not suspect a terrorist link.

sandi

Guess no reason to repair the damanged int'l terminal where ceiling fell in and baggage carousels are of no use. And the Immigration area.... no longer exists Maybe this will put a fire (seriously) under the butts of those building the new terminal (started in '06) to complete the darn thing.

If smart enough and for those who have crossed the land borders at Namanga and Isebania, if these two little huts can process thousands of Visas daily... JKIA only needs place on the tarmac as runways are fine) some of those large shipping containers, built wooden staircases, place a few desks, etc.), for Immigrations/Visa processing. Then offload baggage on the tarmac to have paxs present their luggage tags to collect their own. Then put up a few tents as an Arrivals Hall to meet your guide/driver/transfer... all fixed, temporarily. Only issue though is passengers (westerners specifically) remembering what the word 'patience' means, than bemoaning any delay, as I can guarantee there will be some idiots!

Then we wait for hands extended for chai... as you know corruption will run rampant, seriously, if so sad. Welcome to Afree-kah!

Seems many flights are going into Mombasa/MOM and/or Eldoret and paxs being transferred from there to wherever they have to be. However, these two airports are relatively small... and it wouldn't surprise if flights headed into Kili/JRO (they sure have a long enough runway) for transfer into Kenya. I see a very busy border.

The internal tour outfitters have been on top of this since the fire started (early US-time... lots of emails received first today after I woke to these pics on TV) to get their incoming clients to where they have to be.

Just heard on local NYC news (when do you ever hear on local news about what's happening in NBO... but there it was) that Nairobi doesn't have a functioning fire engine... duh! But for that matter, neither does Tanzania. Can you imagine?

georgennganga

All departures and Arrivals have resumed as of Thursday August 8 th.
Presidential Pavilion to be used for international Arrivals.

sandi

Not all, but most int'l flights have resumed, arriving at the Domestic Terminal where Immigration/Visa processing has been put in place; they do have 'a' baggage carousel. And believe tents as an Arrivals Hall.

Domestic flights as to Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisimu, are using the Cargo terminal.

Wilson (internal domestic) airport is operating as usual, if some flights might be somewhat off schedule, but things seem to be good.

What is a horror is that NBO, nor does JRO/Arusha or DAR have 'real' fire departments, let alone proper working equipment. Hey, none of these cities need to have, nor likely able to afford, but what major cities worldwide have, and use properly trained volunteer fire personnel as there are elsewhere.

Now let's see how long that burned out building remains before torn down and how soon, if... the new terminal is completed?

georgennganga

Sandi What's your beef with all this? There is something real personal in your objectivity.

sandi

Beef? Why did NBO start building the new JKIA terminal in '06 and it's still not completed? Why doesn't NBO have a working Fire Department? I'm sure the fire at JKIA isn't the only such catastrophe that has ever occured in this largest city in East Africa? What about all of the citizens and their houses as I'm sure there are fires daily. The 'bucket brigade' as was indicated used for this incident, went out of use in the mid 1900s, if not earlier.

So maybe I do have a beef, wondering why Kenya can't 'get real' and stop spending the money on benefits for government big wigs? There had been an article some months back on AllAfrica, on this specific subject.

Maybe a few less limos and lux housing can purchase fire engines, and for jobs... start training the many unemployeed to be fire professionals, whether on a full-time or volunteer basis. Along with road crews to build underground water aquaducts and appropriately place fire hydrants for said engines to hook up and provide water as necessary. These could be a start.

What's the benefit of major NBO hotels having fire alarms and sprinkler systems, if there's no Fire Dept to help guests and workers?

Though I was in NBO only weeks after the Embassy bombing in '98 and don't recall what services were available to save the over 200 people killed (incl. 12 Americans) and 1,500 injured; I do know and recall that when 9/11 happened in NYC we, even with our large services... lost 240+ fire personnel, plus many police, all of who had the responsibility and were committed to save fellow citizens, some of whom were Kenyan.* So yes... a beef, and now it's time for Kenya to enter the 21st Century.

*fortunately I didn't know or lose anyone during these incidents.

The basic responsibility of government (anywhere) is to protect the overall well-being of it's citizens (not only the pols), and also property... whether from fires, floods, earthquakes, etc.

Read into this as you wish.

ShayTay

Well said, Sandi. I, too, was in Kenya a week or two after the Embassy bombing. There were reports that there wasn't enough medical supplies like syringes to treat the wounded. I tried to find out if I could carry supplies to help out, but was rebuffed. As long as the "big man" syndrome continues to pervade African politics, little will change.