President launches Kisumu Airport upgrading

On 25 July 2009 the President officially commissioned the Sh2.9 billion expansion works at Kisumu Airport. The President said Kisumu is a strategically located town within the East African Community and even the COMESA region and the expansion of the airport will enable more tourists to fly to Kisumu directly from Europe and America. He said the expansion of Kisumu airport is part of the ongoing programme to modernise the country’s aviation infrastructure in recognition of the importance of air transport in today’s global economy.

President Kibaki disclosed that the Kisumu Airport project is part of the Airport Infrastructure programme which involves the expansion of passenger terminal 4 facilities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, upgrading of facilities at Wilson Airport and the upgrading of the runway at Moi International Airport in Mombasa.

To facilitate access to the airport, the Kisumu bypass road project, which is funded by the World Bank under the Northern Corridor Transport Improvement project, will include a new access road to the airport. Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the project will only be viable if such products as fish, horticulture and manufactured products are exported directly to international markets in Europe and America without incurring the extra cost of transporting them to Nairobi. The contract for the expansion of the airport was awarded in April last year to Chinese firm, Covec Limited and the 22 month contract started in June. Consultants for the project are NACO of the Netherlands.

The existing runway which is 2km long has been extended to 3km and widened from 30m to 45m. New ground lighting and approach lighting will be installed. The apron will be extended by 40,000 square meters and a new terminal building constructed. The new one storey terminal building of about 3,500 square meters will be equipped with state-of-the-art baggage handling facilities. The car park will also be extended by about 3,500 square meters and a new power substation constructed.

The president said the Government will complete rehabilitation of the water and sewage systems at the airport. Being a responsible corporate citizen KAA has constructed a primary school and renovated the existing one to improve the learning environment for the Kogony children at a cost of Sh30 million in gratitude towards the local community for their unwavering support.

July/August 2009 Story done by Booker Ngesa Omole