The government has waived airline landing and parking fees using the Kabunde airstrip to promote air transport between Nairobi and Homa Bay Town.
Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomenhas said the government will spend $ 50 million to expand the Kabunde airstrip in Homa Bay County to accommodate larger aircraft.
Further, Murkomen said that the runway will be extended from 1.2 to 1.65 kilometres and its width from 23 to 30 meters.
He said his ministry was committed to improving the infrastructure in the region to spur economic growth and urged travellers to use the facility.
Speaking at Kabunde Airstrip after jetting aboard Renegade Air during its inaugural flight to Homa Bay, the CS said that families adjacent to the airstrip have been relocated to create room for the runway expansion.
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Murkomen said he had directed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) to redesign Rongo-Homa Bay Road to make room for the runway extension.
“In order for the airstrip to accommodate larger flights, it must be expanded, and the expansion will affect other infrastructure already in place, including the road,” he said.
Small aircraft can only land on the current runway, and because of the short distance, they travel when taxiing, the landing can occasionally be bumpy.
According to the CS, the KAA would also create a parking lot and renovate the airstrip's terminal and other facilities.
When the repair project is finished, the airfield will face competition from Kisumu International Airport, according to Murkomen.
“There is no need to waste time on the road to Kisumu to catch flights. This facility will save a lot of time for people from South Nyanza,” he said.
Homa Bay County Governor Wanga said the airstrip will increase economic activities in the county.
She also said that taxi drivers will get customers from the airstrip as hotels get visitors travelling from the capital city.
“Some tourists have always complained about this county being far-flung. The airstrip will, however, change this,” the governor said.
Wanga said the airstrip will also unlock the county’s potential in trade and investment as it opens up the lake region.
On his part, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma called on the government to hasten the compensation process for families to be relocated to pave the way for airstrip expansion.
