TWO international flights have landed at Kenya's main airport after a devastating fire, officials said.

The Kenya Airports Authority said international flights have not yet resumed officially at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, which had already reopened for domestic and cargo services.

A small fire broke out in the arrivals hall on Wednesday and turned into an inferno that engulfed the arrivals hall for hours, in part because of a slow and inadequate response from a poorly equipped fire service.

Ali Ayoob, an airport engineer, called the damage "extensive" and said the airport's electrical and mechanical systems are out of action.

Some fire engines lacked water and others had no drivers. At one stage, staff lined up with buckets in hand.

Nairobi is the capital of East Africa's largest economy, but lies in a region where public sector services like police and fire units are hampered by small budgets, corrupt managers and outdated or no equipment.It was reported last month that Nairobi County does not have a single working fire engine.