The fire that broke out at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), affecting a section of dry grassland along the North Airport Road, has successfully been contained.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), in a statement issued on Saturday, February 21, 2025, confirmed that the fire was contained following a coordinated response from the KAA Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting Service, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), the National Police Service, the Kenya Pipeline, the Nairobi County Fire Unit, KK Security, and G4S.
“The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirms that a fire incident affecting a section of the grassland surrounding Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has been successfully contained. A coordinated response team, comprising the KAA Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting Service, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), the National Police Service, the Kenya Pipeline, the Nairobi County Fire Unit, KK Security, and G4S, worked diligently to bring the fire under control, leading to successful containment,” the statement issued close to midnight read.
JKIA critical infrastructure
KAA further announced that the fire that lasted for hours did not affect any critical infrastracture or operational zones at the JKIA.
As a result, all airport activities, including flight schedules, passenger processing, and cargo handling, remained fully operational during the incident.
“The fire was confined to non-operational grassland areas and did not impact any critical infrastructure or operational zones of JKIA. All airport activities, including flight schedules, passenger processing, and cargo handling, remain fully operational and were unaffected throughout the incident,” KAA stated.
📢UPDATE STATEMENT: Grassland fire at JKIA successfully contained, airport operations unaffected. pic.twitter.com/D6kJpgYeXA
— Kenya Airports Authority (@KenyaAirports) February 21, 2025
“We would like to thank all teams involved in the response for their dedication and swift action, which ensured the safety of our passengers and facilities while minimizing disruption.”
JKIA fire
The fire broke out at a section of JKIA grassland along the Airport North Road on Friday, February 21, 2025, at about 6:30 pm.
The cause of the fire has, however, remained unknown.
“Emergency response teams are on-site battling a grassland fire inside JKIA, along Airport North Road, Nairobi County. Efforts are underway to contain the blaze and prevent further spread,” Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident in a statement shared via social media on Friday evening.
KAA had issued a statement maintaining that a coordinated response team was working diligently to contain the situation.
The airports authority also assured the public that the fire was only confined to non-operational grassland areas and had not affected any critical infrastructure or operational zones of the airport.
“The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is actively managing a fire incident currently affecting a section of the grassland surrounding Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“A coordinated response team, including the KAA Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting Service, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and the Nairobi County Fire Unit, is working diligently to contain the situation,” KAA said.
