- Ojienda wants the committee to also inquire into the potential of the airport to handle global and regional trade.
- He also wants the team to evaluate the readiness of the airport to handle trade and business within the East African and globally.”
Image: Faith Matete
Senators have launched a probe to establish the operational capacity of Kisumu International Airport.
The Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing will inquire into the current state of the airport and make recommendations to enhance “operational smoothness and safety.”
Kisumu senator said the committee should also review the existing airport surface lighting, including centreline and taxi lights and assess the need for improvement to support operations under low visibility conditions.
“Examine the dimensions of the runway and its ability to support various types of aircraft and make recommendations on whether the taxiways can be extended to improve aircraft movement, and efficiency and accommodate larger aircraft,” he said.
The senator added that the committee should also check if there are leaking roofs at the airport.
He further said members of the committee should assess the need for installing advanced navigation aids like the Instrument Landing Systems to enhance precision approaches and overall safety and efficiency of operations.
Ojienda wants the committee to also inquire into the potential of the airport to handle global and regional trade.
“Evaluate the readiness of Kisumu International Airport to handle trade and business within the East African Region and globally and make recommendations to enhance its competitive advantage,” he stated.
The probe comes hot on the heels of an announcement by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) that it is formulating an aviation policy to guide the management and operations of airports and airstrips.
In a report presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing, KAA said economically viable airstrips will be brought under the authority’s airports system.
“Strategic and non-viable airstrips will be managed by the Ministry of Interior,” KAA revealed.
KAA further said the national government will fund operations in all non-commercial viable airstrips in terms of infrastructure and maintenance of the same.
The report highlighted the state of infrastructure at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Kisumu International Airport where roofs leaked and flooding occurred at the terminals recently.
KAA said JKIA experienced leakages in terminal buildings; Terminal 1A, T1B, T1C, T1D and T1E while at Kisumu International Airport, the topography is such that the ground slopes towards the Terminal Building and surface runoff water found its way inside.