The construction of Nakuru airport will spur economic growth in Rift Valley and Central regions, government spokesman Cyrus Oguna has said.
Oguna said Nakuru is an agricultural region with a huge contribution to the GDP from horticulture and tourism.
“This airport will also benefit other counties such as Laikipia, Nyandarua, Bomet and Kericho which are also rich in agriculture,” he said.
The government is undertaking a Sh3 billion upgrade of the 1.7km runway at the Kenya Defence Forces’s 81 Tank Battalion airstrip in Lanet for civilian use.
The design incorporates two terminals — one to be used by the military and VIPs and the other for ordinary travellers.
Once completed, Nakuru will be the fifth international airport in the country.
Oguna said the gravel runway will be improved to tarmac and extended to more than 3km with a 30m width. He spoke during his two-day tour of government projects in Nakuru county.
He said Nakuru airport will be done in phases, with the initial stage costing Sh406 million five per cent done.
The first phase will expand the military airstrip into an airport for domestic flights. It will become an international facility once fully operational.
Oguna was accompanied by Nakuru county commissioner Erastus Mbui among other senior administration and county officials.
Mbui said the project will extend into private farms which will be acquired and owners compensated.
“Things are in order and there is sufficient land for expansion. The only thing that is required is to engage the community and reach a consensus,” he said.
Mbui said the National Land Commission, Kenya Airports Authority, KDF and the Nakuru administration have met with the affected community together with their MP Kimani Ngunjiri.
The airport will boost Nakuru’s plans for an upgrade to city status.
A 600-acre piece of land that was meant for an airport has been idle since 2002 after environmentalists opposed its development on claims that it was a threat to migratory birds.
Environmental lobby groups said the land was along the migratory route of flamingos and other bird species in Lake Nakuru National Park and the nearby Lake Elementaita.
Other efforts to establish an airport in Ngata, Naivasha and Kabarak had proved futile.
The spokesman inspected the airport construction, Elementaita-Mwisho wa Lami road works and finalised with a visit to the contractor on Moi South Lake Road in Naivasha on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Oguna was expected to inspect works at Molo Technical and Vocational Training College in Elburgon and address students.
“The government is building projects that are the foundation of economic development. These include roads, water projects, and even airports like this one which is going to be essential for agriculture and tourism,” he said.
(edited by o. owino)
