The Kisumu International Airport is set to have a new cargo transit shed to boost growers of fresh produce in the Western region of Kenya. The upgrade is aimed at providing the surrounding community with proper channels to venture into flowers and vegetables export business.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is said to construct the Ksh 135 million facility in partnership with Tradewinds Aviation Services limited. According to the head of development and projects at Tradewinds Aviation Fiona Omondi, the construction is awaiting approval of architectural drawings by KAA, after which it will kick off.
“We have started discussions with the civil contractor in regards to the civil works required, as for now the process is yet to be tendered,” said Fiona.
The facility is said to have various government agencies’ offices, two docking ports for trucks for exports and imports as well as perishable goods.
Fiona stated that the project is capitalizing on the rising demand in passenger and cargo air transportation and is going to take six to eight weeks to fabricate the steel structure.
Being strategically located with a farming community surrounding it, Kisumu International Airport will provide the surrounding community with proper channels to venture into vegetables and flowers export business. This will be an important tool in boosting the economic state of Kisumu.
Besides impacting the immediately surrounding community, the airport will also attract farmers from the highlands who have had to use Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“Kisumu International Airport is strategically located in the lake region. We want to turn it into the ‘Singapore’ of the region,” remarked Selina Gor, the Kisumu International Airport manager.
Elsewhere, Nyaribo Airstrip in Nyeri is undergoing rehabilitation, with construction of a VIP lounge said to be bigger than those at Wilson and Kisumu Airports, electrical works, mechanical works and storm water drainage works underway.
The rehabilitation project's cost was set at Ksh 39,920,629. It was started in November 2020 and is set to be completed by July this year.
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