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Isiolo Airport boosts farmers, tour firms prospects

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ISIOLO AIRPORT. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Farmers and tour operators in counties surrounding the Isiolo International Airport are banking on the facility to boost business in the region.

Kenya Chamber of Commerce, miraa growers and exporters as well as tourism sector operators in Isiolo and Samburu counties say the Sh1.7 billion airport will increase demand for their products by easing transport to and from the region.

“We will export miraa directly from Isiolo Airport to Mombasa, Nairobi, Jubaland, Somalia and other countries. The heavy losses we normally incur while transporting the commodity via road to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport will reduce,” said Isaiah Miriti, a miraa grower.

Kenya Chamber of Commerce Isiolo branch chairman Hussein Jamaa said: “We normally ferry live animals on lorries to neighbouring counties but the new facility will enable livestock traders to transport meat by air.”

Sarova Shaba Lodge manager Josphat Ngali said the facility would boost tourism in Isiolo, Samburu and Meru counties. “Tourists will, for now, travel from Nairobi directly to Isiolo Airport to tour the northern circuit which has rare wildlife including Grevy zebras,” he said.

The Isiolo Airport which sits on an 800-acre land now awaits final approval from the Kenya Civil Association Authority to go into full operation. The Kenya Airports Authority said the airport would initially operate domestic flights.

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