The Kenyan government has established two emergency support centers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to assist families awaiting news about passengers on the Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on March 10, 2019. The Boeing 737-800, operating as flight ET302, crashed six minutes after departing from Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, with all 157 people on board confirmed dead.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia confirmed the centers’ operation, stating they would provide privacy and assistance to relatives. "We have set up two emergency centers—one in Terminal 1D for initial meetings and another at the Sheraton Four Points for further support," he said. Authorities are awaiting a passenger manifest from Ethiopian officials to identify those affected.
Macharia emphasized the need for discretion while investigations continue. "We are prioritizing family privacy as we await critical information from Ethiopian authorities," he stated. Families at the airport expressed uncertainty, with some clinging to hope. Peter Kimani, whose sister was on board, said, "We hoped she wasn’t on that flight but remain hopeful for the best."
Others shared urgent concerns. Chinese national Hanna waited three hours for a colleague who was not on the doomed flight. Khalid Ali Abdulrahaman recounted how a delay saved his son’s life: "I was at the airport when I learned the flight had crashed. Fortunately, my son had been delayed and was still in Addis Ababa."
