Baggage from Heathrow to skip JKIA screening after deal by Kenya and UK

Kenya and the United Kingdom have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that exempts baggage arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports from repeat security screening.

A general view shows people at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ahead of a strike by Kenya airports union workers to protest on September 10, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo

According to the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, the MoU will streamline baggage transfers, reduce duplication in security procedures, and support reliable passenger connections while maintaining aviation security standards.

The agreement builds on the Kenya–UK Security Compact signed in 2025, and provides a framework for cooperation in addressing shared national, regional, and global security challenges.

Speaking during the MoU signing, the Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, CBS, noted that the agreement is an important milestone in strengthening aviation security and building confidence in the systems of both countries.

Source: Citizen Digital