Work at the neglected Kakamega Airstrip has resumed after public outcry, with the government set to address long-standing concerns over the facility's deteriorating condition.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed the upgrade on Monday, December 1, noting that works on the airstrip have officially commenced after being flagged off by President William Ruto several weeks earlier.
The intervention marks a major shift following months of public pressure and repeated flight disruptions, which have crippled travel and commerce in Kakamega County.
"The Kakamega Airstrip is undergoing a major upgrade, including the rehabilitation of the runway, taxiways and apron," PS Omollo confirmed.
"Once complete, the expanded facility will accommodate more domestic and commercial flights, boosting connectivity and opening up the county to greater trade and tourism opportunities."
The overhaul, according to the government, is aimed at transforming the airstrip into a modern hub capable of handling increased domestic and commercial flights in the Western Kenya region.
Images shared by the PS highlighted the ongoing upgrades, although there were suggestions that the airstrip was far from the finished product.
The upgrade comes barely two years after a Ksh174 million rehabilitation was commissioned by President William Ruto, months after he came into power on December 8, 2022.
A renowned airline launched its first commercial flight to the upgraded airstrip on December 14, 2022, but two years later, in late 2024, the runway deteriorated significantly, raising concerns about maintenance and workmanship.
Following the deterioration, the airline suspended its flights to and from Kakamega, citing safety concerns. Passengers were promised alternative travel arrangements.
Predictably, the suspension of flights was immediately felt by traders, with many reporting increased travel costs and delays as a journey that would typically take 45 minutes by air required 10 hours by road.
Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa has been at the forefront of calling on the Ministry of Transport and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to expedite repairs, insisting that responsibility lies firmly with KAA.
