Narok County is positioned to become a direct gateway to the Masai Mara, one of the world's leading tourism destinations, after President William Ruto announced the construction of Narok International Airport to be ready in March 2026.
Speaking during his first-day tour in the county, the president revealed that the move to build the airport was reached after numerous decries by the residents, who revealed that tourism was their major economic activity and that an airport would expand its value.
During a previous economic forum in Narok County, President Ruto affirmed the government's commitment to bolstering tourism by constructing an international airport to ease access to the Maasai Mara.
"When I came here for the economic forum, the people of Narok told us that since the county is known for tourism, they want an airport that will make travel easier," Ruto noted.
"Tourists from across Kenya and the world should have an international airport here that will allow us to welcome visitors and enhance Maasai Mara’s ability to generate more resources and revenue for the people of Narok County," the president continued.
According to the president, plans are already underway to ensure the airport is completed within a year, with both the county government and national government contributing Ksh700 million each for the project.
Ruto has revealed that the project will cost Ksh1.4 billion.
''Today, I have come here with a contractor, and we have already paid him Ksh700 million to construct that airport. Governor Ole Ntutu has also contributed an additional Ksh700 million to facilitate the project. I have told the contractor that I will be here in March next year to officially open the airport," Ruto said.
The project will include constructing an airstrip and a terminal building where passengers go through the various stages of air travel, from check-in to boarding and arrival.
According to the airport's plan, as shown by the Narok County government, the airport will feature a state-of-the-art building with numerous offices, several VIP lounges, shops, and security offices, among others.
Others that will also be around the airport are a flight school, aviation-related industries, manufacturing and distribution, and hotels. The government is yet to reveal more details on the exact location and size of land the airport will sit on.
The announcement comes a month after Governor Ole Ntutu welcomed the project during President Ruto’s development tour of the county and revealed that the facility would allow tourists to fly directly into Narok rather than passing through Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“I asked the President, for one thing, to give us an international airport. We want our tourists to fly directly from their countries to Narok without going through Nairobi,” Ntutu revealed.
