The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has moved to put to rest public speculation after a viral video showed a convoy of high-end black-coloured SUVs driving onto the restricted airside section of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a detailed statement issued on December 2, KAA explained that the clip filmed nearly two months earlier on October 8, 2025 captured the official arrival of the Prime Minister of an unnamed African country. The leader landed at JKIA at 5:07 p.m. ahead of the 24th COMESA Summit hosted in Nairobi.
The summit drew Heads of State, senior government officials and delegations from across the COMESA region, prompting heightened security operations and protocol-driven airport access for dignitaries.
According to KAA, the motorcade was permitted onto the tarmac under special clearance, and the Prime Minister was formally received by a Cabinet Secretary upon arrival.
“Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) would like to address recent online reactions concerning a video showing a convoy of SUVs accessing the restricted airside area of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) tarmac,” the authority said in its statement.
KAA stressed that every movement involving the VVIP delegation complied with strict aviation security procedures. These include clearance processes reserved for state visits, diplomatic guests and high-level international events.
The authority noted that such escorted airside access is not unusual during major summits and falls within Kenya’s obligations to receive foreign dignitaries under both national protocol guidelines and global aviation safety standards.
The clarification follows days of speculation on social platforms, where users questioned why civilian vehicles appeared to be operating in a heavily restricted area of the airport.
KAA maintained that the public should not interpret the footage as a breach of security, reiterating that the operations were fully coordinated with all relevant state agencies.
“Such protocols are standard at JKIA for international summits and comply fully with aviation security standards, prioritizing both operational integrity and dignitary safety,” the authority concluded.
