Nairobi – In a significant stride for East Africa’s busiest aviation hub, Kenya’s top airports have earned international recognition for safety and environmental management.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) announced on Wednesday that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Moi International Airport (MIA) in Mombasa, and the authority’s Nairobi headquarters have received two coveted ISO certifications from the UK-based United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
The ISO 14001:2015 certification recognises sound environmental practices, from cutting carbon emissions to better waste management. The second, ISO 45001:2018, focuses on health and safety in the workplace.
“The certifications are a clear signal of our commitment to running safe and environmentally responsible airports,” said KAA in a statement.
These endorsements are more than bureaucratic badges. They reflect KAA’s stated aim to embed sustainability into daily operations a promise outlined in its 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, where environmental stewardship is marked as a key pillar.
The authority says the work behind the scenes has been extensive. At JKIA alone, steps have been taken to improve noise and air quality, cut water usage, and tighten safety procedures for both staff and contractors.
“This achievement means our airports meet globally accepted benchmarks,” said KAA’s Managing Director Alex Gitari. “But more importantly, it reflects how we value the wellbeing of our workers, our passengers and our planet.”
In practical terms, these certifications mean KAA must now adhere to regular third-party audits to ensure standards don’t slip. That process includes external surveillance reviews to measure compliance and identify areas for further improvement.
Industry analysts say the move is likely to improve KAA’s global standing, particularly as airlines and international partners increasingly look for credible green credentials and safe working environments in the aviation ecosystem.
“It gives them a competitive edge,” said Nairobi-based aviation consultant Peter Muriuki. “Airlines and investors look at these certifications when making key decisions. It’s about trust.”
Still, challenges remain. Kenya’s aviation sector is under pressure to keep up with rapid passenger growth, meet rising climate expectations, and modernise infrastructure all amid tight public budgets.
But with these certifications, KAA has taken a step many regional peers have yet to match.
“We’re not stopping here,” Gitari said. “This is just the beginning of a long-term journey.”
As global air travel slowly recovers from the turbulence of the early 2020s, Kenya’s airports may be charting a steadier, greener course.
