The Government is in the process of making Matulo Airstrip in Webuye, Bungoma County, operational to be used for commercial purposes and to serve the Western region.
The Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Internal Security and National. Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, said that the government had set-up a process of securing the land initially allocated for the airstrip, but had been encroached.
The PS noted that the airstrip had originally been allocated over 70 acres, but a small part of it had been encroached on by the public.
He said that through the County Government of Bungoma, the residents would be engaged with a view of recovering the land for the airstrip, to have adequate space for it to be economically viable.
The PS was speaking at Matulo Airstrip, yesterday, when he led government officials on an inspection tour of the airstrip, to assess its suitability and utility, ahead of Madaraka Day Celebrations, that will be hosted by Bungoma County.
He said noted that the runaway of the airstrip was completely gone and that the whole land was not fenced areas, which he said, need to be rectified for the facility to be functional by June this year.
The PS said that already there were works going on at Kanduyi Stadium, where the celebrations will be held.
The PS State Department of Transport, Mohamed Daghar, said that the government was determined to open-up the Country to air transport.
He cited Northern part of the Country, through various airstrips, that are being set-up in Garissa, Mandera and Wajir.
Other areas to be opened-up through airstrips, he said, include Kakamega, Homa Bay, and Migori.
Mr. Daghar pointed out that the opening of air transport, will make movement of medical evacuation easier, alongside trade and commerce, where horticultural export will be made easier.
The PS said that the Kenya Airports Authority, had conducted a scope of Matulo Airstrip and that at the moment the runway was not suitable for any aircraft to land.
He said the runway would be phased out and rehabilitated alongside the taxi-way to accommodate more aircrafts.
The PS said that the Counties in the area border other Countries and opening them up would make movement of people and goods easier.
The Team also inspected Kanduyi Airstrip in Bungoma Town.
By Catherine Nyongesa
