The construction of a new and modern runway on the Nanyuki airstrip is expected to be completed by the end of January 2022.
This follows an extension of the completion time that was expected by the end of October this year, due to what the contractor termed as delays occasioned by heavy rainfall pounding the area.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Engineer Urbanus Kioko, who is overseeing the project, told the Laikipia County Development and Implementation Committee (CDICC) members who made an inspection tour of the facility, that the contractor had already completed 72 percent of the works and was on course to hand over the facility as expected in January.
“The contractor experienced delays for some months as he had to deal with water drainage issues due to heavy rains that have been falling here,” Eng Kioko told the Committee members.
The Sh330 million to construct a new 1.5-kilometer runway will also have a taxiway that can accommodate 52-seater planes, and a bigger apron, where the aircraft would be parked once they land.
The expansion of the facility is expected to boost tourism, especially in Laikipia County and other northern counties, as more tourists would be able to fly directly to their preferred destinations.
Kiu Construction Company Managing Director, Kariuki Theuri, who is undertaking the expansion said that the heavy rains had slowed down the works since the ground was soggy but assured the Committee members that he would hand over the completed project by end of January next year.
“We have deployed more manpower to ensure that we deliver the project on time so that the facility can be able to accommodate commercial flights starting next year,” Theuri said.
Timothy Kilimo from the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) who also accompanied the CDICC members observed that there was a need to put up a passenger terminal at the facility since it was expected to become a fully-fledged commercial airstrip.
By Martin Munyi
