Nanyuki commercial runway complete by late January

@Waithaka06

Construction of a Sh330 million runway at the Nanyuki airstrip is expected to be completed by the end of January next year.

Heavy rains delayed the works. It was to have been complete by the end of October this year.

 Kenya Civil Aviation Authority engineer Urbanus Kioko, who is overseeing the project, told Laikipia development officials the contractor has completed 72 per cent of the job. The runway will be completed as expected, he said.

“The contractor experienced delays for some months as he had to deal with water drainage issues caused by heavy rains," Kioko said.

The  1.5km runway will have a taxiway that can accommodate 52-seater aircraft. A bigger apron will be built where aircraft can land.

The expansion of the airport is expected to incrase tourism in Laikipia and other northern counties.

Kiu Construction Company MD Kariuki Theuri assured the development committee members he would hand over the copleted project by the end of January next year.

“We have deployed more manpower to ensuret we deliver the project on time so that the facility can accommodate commercial flights starting next year,” Theuri said.

Timothy Kilimo from the Presidential Delivery Unit said it was necessary to put up a passenger terminal since the facility would become a full-fledged commercial airstrip.

(Edited by V.Graham)