Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Friday, February 3, announced plans to expand Wison Airport in Nairobi, as part of the government's agenda of upgrading aviation facilities in the country.
The CS made the announcement after meeting with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) leadership at the Lang'ata-based airport.
He inspected the proposed location earmarked for constructing a new passenger terminal.
"I conducted a familiarisation tour of the airport and inspected the proposed location earmarked for the construction of a new passenger terminal," Murkomen noted.
In addition, Murkomen affirmed that the government had lined up several development projects in airports and other aviation infrastructure, with construction works expected to commence in 2023.
The projects, he noted, will go a long way in establishing Kenya as an investment hub. He added that modern aviation infrastructure would guarantee growth in the country's economy by creating employment and increasing avenues for revenue collection.
Further, CS Murkomen stated that the government was eying opportunities to enhance international trade, tourism, and regional integration.
“As the Government, we are open to partnering with investors to modernise our airports and increase passenger capacity as part of our strategic plan to cement Kenya's position as an aviation, tourism and investment hub in the region," he noted.
According to the CS, the projects were planned under the public-private partnership programs, which President William Ruto affirmed would be at the centre of most development initiatives in the country.
Wilson airport is an important transport hub in the country and one of the busiest in East and Central Africa.
According to KAA, the airport connects Nairobi to satellite airports and airstrips in Mombasa, Amboseli, Lamu and Nanyuki, established tourist destinations.
The project will be part of the long-term plan by the government to improve transport infrastructure to standards marching those of most developed countries. In 2022, President Ruto oversaw the groundbreaking of the Nairobi Central Railway Station in Nairobi.
