This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has initiated the rehabilitation and expansion of the Kakamega Airstrip, a project valued at Sh174.7 million. The project, which is expected to take 15 months, aims to upgrade the airstrip's apron, runway, taxi parking bay, and fence to international standards.
Speaking at the airstrip's launch on Wednesday, Selina Gor, the Kisumu International Airport and Western Region Airports Regional Manager, stated that the World Bank and the Government of Kenya are the primary financiers of the project through the Aviation Development Fund.
Ms. Selina emphasized that the project's completion will streamline economic development and enhance tourism in the region. She also noted that the airstrip's rehabilitation will help decongest the Kisumu International Airport, allowing passengers from Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma to use the airstrip instead of traveling to Kisumu.
According to Ms. Selina, the completion of the airstrip will enable the landing and taking off of cargo and passenger aircraft. She also highlighted that the project will complement Governor Wycliffe Oparanya's flagship projects, including the 750-Kakamega County Teaching and Referral hospital, the Malava Dairy Plant, Bukhungu Stadium, and the Shinyalu Tea Factory.
Ms. Selina further stated that KAA is expanding all airstrips in the region to make them accessible to the world. The project will benefit counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (Lreb), including Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Kakamega, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, and Vihiga.
She also mentioned that the member counties will be able to store and transport perishable goods like fish and horticultural products, as they are also setting up cold rooms at the airstrips, particularly in the Nyanza region.
Regarding the Busia Airstrip, Ms. Selina stated that the government has received information about nine individuals claiming ownership of the land where the 20-acre airstrip is located. She emphasized that the land is government property and that KAA has a title deed to prove it.
Ms. Selina urged the locals who have encroached on the airstrip land to vacate the area immediately to allow the government to expand it.
