Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has explained the move by the government to relocate the Matulo Airstrip to the outskirts of Webuye in Bungoma County.
Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Bungoma County on June 1, 2023, Murkomen revealed that the airstrip was initially located near the town centre adding that the relocation was strategic.
Murkomen detailed that the government was planning to expand the airstrip, hence the need to move to a place with more land.
Further, he indicated that the airstrip would be elevated to the status of an airport in due course.
Murkomen added that the airstrip is also expected to have high traffic as it will be serving the counties in the Western region and potentially Uganda given the proximity.
"We are working to get more land so that we can expand it to 2.5 kilometres and we should get traffic flying directly to the airstrip.
"We have removed it from the town itself and we have taken it off town to Webuye so that it can be expanded enough and serve the counties in this region and Uganda," he explained.
Additionally, Murkomen indicated that his Ministry would be partnering with the county government in actualising the expansion plans.
"Acquiring more land is a priority as directed by the President and we shall work with the County Government and the rest of the leadership to make it a reality," the CS stated.
Currently, Matulo Airstrip is 1.1 kilometres the government is also in the process of constructing various buildings to serve as customer service areas.
According to Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, the airstrip was constructed to the tune of Ksh139 million.
Construction of the airstrip was done as part of the preparations for the 61st Madaraka Day celebrations. Notably, the airstrip was also used by President William Ruto on May 30.
