NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) on Tuesday clarified that a convoy of SUVs filmed driving on the restricted airside section of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a widely circulated video had been granted authorised access as part of an official state protocol.
In a statement, the authority said the footage — which sparked public debate over potential security breaches — captured the arrival of the Prime Minister of an African country on 8 October 2025.
The leader had flown into Nairobi at 5:07 pm to attend the 24th COMESA Summit, which brought together several Heads of State and senior government officials from across the region.
According to KAA, the visiting dignitary was received by a Kenyan Cabinet Secretary, and the entire movement of the motorcade within the restricted airside zone complied fully with established aviation security procedures.
“KAA confirms that all airside access for this VIP protocol strictly followed established security procedures and regulations, reserved for state and diplomatic dignitaries,” the authority said.
“Such protocols are standard at JKIA for international summits and comply fully with aviation security standards, prioritising both operational integrity and dignitary safety.”
The clarification comes amid heightened public scrutiny of airport security practices, with some online users questioning whether the convoy’s access constituted a breach of international aviation norms.
KAA, however, maintained that the arrangements reflected routine diplomatic handling for high-level state visitors.
JKIA, one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, frequently hosts international conferences and high-profile delegations, requiring enhanced protocol measures vetted jointly by KAA, security agencies, and diplomatic teams.
