Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has appealed to the national government to fast-track renovation works on the Kakamega airstrip.
Barasa asked Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to speed up the renovation of the runway to resume operations.
“We, as the county government, have already played our part by providing land for that process and what is remaining is for the national government to complete the construction works and operationalisation of the airstrip,” Barasa said.
He spoke at the burial of Mama Susanna Nanzala at Sokomoko village in Sinoko ward, Likuyani constituency, on Thursday.
It has emerged that the once vibrant economy booster has seemingly turned out to be a hideout for criminal criminals.
Residents of Ichina area in Shinyalu constituency have complained of a rise in crime since operations at the airstrip stopped six months ago.
Skyward Express, which was operating daily flights to Nairobi, suspended flights citing a bad runway in September 2024 after nine months of operation.
“We regret to inform you that, effective 30th September 2024, we are temporarily suspending all flight operations to and from Kakamega. This decision is due to the deteriorating condition of the runway at the Kakamega airstrip, which no longer meets our safety standards,” read a notification to passengers dated September 28, 2024.
The Governor said the county government has been criticised over delays in completion of the renovation works yet the project was being undertaken by the national government.
He said that completion and operationalisation of the airstrip was important to the county government as a source of business and revenue through tourism.
Barasa said the facility will be able to accommodate larger planes to various parts of the country once the runway is expanded.
President William Ruto officially commissioned the Sh170 million airstrip in December 2022 during his two-day tour of the Western region.
Ruto directed the Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Civil Aviation to suspend landing fees for a while. He said more money will be allocated by his government for the expansion and upgrade of the airstrip.
"I have asked Governor Barasa to identify land for expansion of the airstrip so that it can open up for large flights that will serve Kakamega and the neighbouring counties. People from this region will not be required to go all the way to Kisumu airport to catch flights anymore," Ruto said.
