Infrastructure
Long-Awaited Nakuru Airport Project Finally Gets Underway
The Lanet military airstrip will be converted into a civilian airport.
Construction of the much-awaited Nakuru Airport has finally begun, paving the way for the commencement of civilian operations within the Kenya Defence Forces barracks.
The Nakuru Airport will be the result of a Sh3 billion upgrade of the Lanet Airstrip, which serves the military. The project will convert the airstrip into a civilian airport.
The airstrip, which is next to the Kenya Military Academy – about 10 km from Nakuru town will be upgraded in three phases in partnership with the county government.
“Under this arrangement, we shall convert the military facility into a public utility available for use by civilian aircraft,” Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said.
The first phase of the project involves the construction of a 1.7km runway; the erection of a fence; the construction of taxiways and terminals; a military lounge; an air rescue centre; as well as military and civilian gates. It will be completed next year at Sh406 million.
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Phase two will include an extension of phase one to accommodate larger aircraft. The upgrade will eventually enable flights to start and connect Nakuru to East Africa.
Ultimately, the airport’s runway will be extended to 3.1km and widened to 30 metres.
“Flower farmers, especially in Naivasha, will have a chance to exploit a huge market by increasing their exports to destinations such as Europe and the US,” said Mr Kinyanjui.
The project, whose groundbreaking was scheduled for 2014, was to be located on 642 acres in the Pipeline area – about 15km from Nakuru town on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The county had proposed two other sites: Naivasha and Njoro. The Naivasha site was found to be an inappropriate choice while the latter was rejected due to poor terrain.
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