Cargo flights to Eldoret Airport have resumed with two Cabinet Secretaries assuring that the government is working on strategies to expand the airport to meet international standards.
The CS Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads and Transport) and Moses Kuria (Trade, Investment and Industry) relaunched the cargo flights on Thursday with the Ethiopian Airline cargo flight being the first to land.
Cargo operations at the airport had been interrupted for the last three months. Kuria assured that the government would quickly resolve some of the existing challenges to ensure cargo transportation at the airport is not hampered again.
During a meeting with the Kenya Association of International Cargo Consolidators, (KAICC), Murkomen said the government was working on plans to expand the airport to make it a truly international airport.
The CS said his ministry was working closely with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and the National Lands Commission (NLC) towards expanding the airport.
“My ministry is sourcing for resources to expand the runway by at least four kilometres to ensure cargo flights get enough runway to lift seamlessly at a high altitude, and we are working with NLC on how we can acquire an additional 600 metres of land after the runway for safety measures. We have already held discussions with land owners around the airport and hope to close the deal soon,” said the CS
Murkomen further announced that they are working with private-sector investors to extend cargo warehouses at the airport.
In July 2003, the NARC government imposed a ban on cargo flights landing at the Eldoret airport, but the ban was lifted in March 2004, and consolidators were invited to resume their services
Murkomen noted that the closure of flights at the airport had huge repercussions for the government as well as traders as it affected the livelihoods of many.
“The relaunch of cargo flights to Eldoret airport is a great milestone for the business community and farmers in the region and beyond as it will ensure faster transportation of goods, expand the scope of business, and improve livelihoods,” said the CS.
At the same time, the CS said there was a need to establish an airport user association for Eldoret airport specifically to make sure that flights to Eldoret airport are never closed again.
“Just like what has already been done for the Airport in Mombasa which has yielded good results, we need an airport users’ association for Eldoret Airport specifically to ensure any challenges arising are addressed in a pre-emptive manner instead of waiting until things go wrong,” he said.
Murkomen further noted that the association that will be established will work together with the Kenya Association of International Cargo Consolidators to pre-empt any challenges that might arise.
On his part, Kuria noted that the objective of launching the cargo flights is to ensure every trader gets the best opportunity and accesses efficient services.
“We need innovative ways and explore the possibility of outsourcing scanning and verification systems at the Eldoret airport so that we can have 24 24-hour operation cycle to ease the barrier of scanning and verification,” he said.
“We have fragmented regimes regulating consolidators; we should initiate a cabinet memorandum so that we can harmonize the regimes so that all consolidators are under one regime that is consistent, coherent and understandable,” the CS noted.
He noted that the consolidators should provide a mechanism for even small traders to participate in international trade.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii said that the relaunch of cargo flights at Eldoret Airport is vital for international trade, connecting nations and industries and this marks a significant step towards achieving city status in our region.
“One of our strengths is the Eldoret International Airport nestled with The North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) as the airport serves as the vital link; it not only facilitates daily flights but also connects us to East and Central Africa,” said Bii.
Bii noted that the airport is strategically located and benefits more than 10 neighbouring counties. It is established as a focal point for the storage and export of agricultural products.
“We are therefore positioning ourselves as a key economic hub in the region, the county, and the international community through rich and diverse investment opportunities to harness these opportunities into sustainable economic gains, the county government aptly provides its investment-ready sectors to investors locally, regionally and internationally,” noted the Governor.
“The abundant climate in our region favours the cultivation of maize, wheat, and other crops with our committed farmers serving as the backbone of our society. This important endeavour holds the promise of unlocking the local and international benefits,” Bii said.
By Judy Too and Kiptanui Cherono
