CDA Kneedler Remarks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for TSA Equipment Handover Ceremony
It’s my pleasure to be here at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for this important handover ceremony. Today’s event marks the conclusion of a multi-year project and the hard work of numerous government agencies and countless staff. Congratulations to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Kenyan Aviation stakeholders on the successful completion of this important project to improve aviation security.
Today’s ceremony celebrates the creation of a state-of-the-art screening checkpoint that increases security effectiveness and improves the passenger experience. With the completion of this project, KAA now operates one of the most technologically advanced screening checkpoints in the world.
Aviation security is one of the many ways the United States is focused on deepening our cooperation with Kenya on multilateral issues. Thanks to a strong partnership with our Kenyan Aviation partners, we look forward to future opportunities to work together to increase security capabilities in Kenya. We will accomplish this through continued equipment donations, capacity development, mentorships and sharing aviation security best practices so that together we can enjoy safe and secure air travel.
Although our current focus has been here at JKIA airport, we hope to expand our efforts to other Kenyan airports through our strong security partnership with KAA and KCAA.
In just the past few years, the United States has invested $4-million-dollars in aviation security at JKIA. This has included the new central screening checkpoint installed by KAA, new state of-the-art cargo screening technology, and this latest project here at gate 19. These critical successes demonstrate what we can accomplish when the United States and Kenya partner to strengthen global security.
Congratulations to everyone who made this achievement possible. I’d like to especially thank the leadership and staff at JKIA, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airports Authority, and the Leidos Corporation for their exceptional collaboration to make this project a reality. We look forward to continuing our work together towards a safer and more secure world.