This archive report was first published on 5 October 2021.
On October 5, 2021, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) wrote a letter to Mombasa County authorities, demanding the immediate relocation of the Mwakirunge dump site, which poses a significant risk to aircraft landing and taking off from Moi International Airport.
The dump site, located on the flight path, attracts a large number of birds, including marabou stalks, crows, and sacred ibis, which increases the likelihood of bird strikes.
According to KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe, bird strikes are a major concern for the aviation industry, as they can result in aircraft complications and put the lives of passengers at risk.
"When you have a dump site there, it attracts birds. When you have a bird that is flying overhead Mwakirunge, and there is an aircraft passing through, there is danger of a bird strike," Kibe explained.
Notably, bird strikes have already caused significant disruptions to air travel in Kenya. In 2017, a local flight lost one of its engines due to damage caused by a bird strike, leading to a temporary stall in operations along the Mombasa-Nairobi flight route.
International aircraft have also been affected, with one forced to make an emergency landing at Moi International Airport after suffering a bird strike.
However, Mombasa County Chief Officer, Environment, Ilhan Abass, has denied receiving any letter from KCAA, stating that the devolved unit is open to working with the authority.
