Kisii’s Suneka and Kakamega Airstrip in Shinyalu constituency were awarded Sh300million and Sh200million respectively after the budget committee slashed funds earlier allocated to the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport project.
Suneka airstrip requires construction of a 200 capacity passenger lounge together with VIP facilities.
Kakamega Airstrip urgently needs its 1.2kilometre runway rehabilitated and expanded to two kilometres, enabling it to accommodate larger planes.
Commuter air travel in the former South Nyanza and Western Kenya received a major boost after Parliament allocated Sh500 million for the rehabilitation of two airstrips. Kisii’s Suneka and Kakamega Airstrip in Shinyalu constituency were awarded Sh300million and Sh200million respectively after the budget committee slashed funds earlier allocated to the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport project.
An earlier study by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) experts indicated that Suneka airstrip required construction of a 200 capacity passenger lounge together with VIP facilities while Kakamega Airstrip urgently needed its 1.2kilometre runway rehabilitated and expanded to two kilometres, enabling it to accommodate larger planes.
KAA has also entered into a deal with the Kakamega county government on a joint venture where the devolved unit agreed to acquire land around the airstrip while KAA would oversee implementation of the project.
Flights to Kakamega Airstrip have on several occasions been cancelled owing to the poor condition of the runway which air operators said posed risks to passengers and cabin crews.
Last year, Kisii leaders led by Governor James Ongwae petitioned President Uhuru Kenyatta seeking to have Suneka Airstrip rehabilitated to unlock air business in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
This, they said, would help private cargo and passenger airlines launch commercial flights to the region thereby helping create a new business for local horticultural and flower farmers.
The county government memorandum was precipitated by requests made by several aviation companies that sought the county government’s intervention in having the airstrip rehabilitated for air business.
A feasibility study was commissioned by KAA which established that Suneka airstrip was commercially viable.
If implemented, the Suneka facility could spur new air routes, easing pressure for Moi International Airport in Kisumu, which has been handling visitors heading to Migori and Kisii counties.
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