Thorough vetting will be done on people before being allowed into restricted parts of airports, in new proposals by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
This is as the government seeks to bar stowaways and other unauthorized persons from accessing sensitive parts of its airports like the aerodromes.
This comes six months after an embarrassing incident where a Kenyan who had sneaked into a plane at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) dropped off moments before the plane landed at the Heathrow Airport in London.
As a result, in its Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations, persons seeking to access restricted parts of the airport will have to undergo thorough checks before being allowed.
"Every operator of an airport serving civil aviation in Kenya shall establish, implement and maintain a written Airport Operator Security Programme that meets the requirements of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme and these Regulations,” reads the document availed for public review.
Airport staff will also have to undergo a similar vetting, with the authority proposing that airport operators across the country ensure that only the right person access them.
Under the proposed new laws, airport staff will have to handle legitimate functions within the restricted areas, proposals set to be discussed with the industry players on January 15.
"An Airport Operator Security Programme shall provide for background checks to be completed in respect of persons implementing security controls, persons with unescorted access to security restricted areas, and persons with access to sensitive aviation security information prior to their taking up these duties or accessing such areas or information,” it further read.