Refurbishment of Kitale Airstrip in Trans-Nzoia County is set to be completed by December. Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa ordered the contractor to speed up works and ensure the project in completed within schedule.
The Sh 221 million project has faced minor challenges due to COVID-19 disruptions but is expected to be completed by December this year. Speaking during the inspection tour of the ongoing construction progress CS Wamalwa said the facelift works is currently at 39% complete.
Rehabilitation works involve extension of the runway to accommodate code 2B Aircraft. According to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), rehabilitation is being done in two phases, phase one being the construction of a standard 2.2km runway then the second phase which will be the construction of an administration block that will consists of a VIP lounge.
Resumption of flights
Due to the works, domestic air travelers to western region have had to use Eldoret and Kisumu airports. Cs Wamalwa noted that the airstrip is one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s flagship projects in the region that will go a long way in boosting flight connectivity within the county and the region at large.
Upon completion of the project and subsequent resumption of flights, travelers will save up to one hour when flying directly to Kitale compared to using Kisumu or Eldoret airports.
“This airstrip in important to this region. We would like the contractor to speed up works so that flights can resume. It currently takes one hour from Eldoret to get here and two hours from Kisumu,” said Wamalwa.
