New air traffic control tower complete at Kisumu airport

The new air traffic control tower at Kisumu International Airport/ Faith Matete 

The new air traffic control tower at Kisumu International Airport /Faith Matete

 Polycap Mburo, director of Polish Contractors, during the technical handover of the air traffic control tower at Kisumu International Airport /Faith Matete

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has completed the construction of an air traffic control tower at Kisumu International Airport, marking a major milestone in the facility’s journey towards full international accreditation.

The eight-storey facility, which features advanced ICT, surveillance, and communication systems, was declared practically complete after a week-long series of inspections, system testing and commissioning.

Speaking during the technical handover, Polycap Mburo, director of Polish Contractors, the firm behind the construction, said the building is ready for operational use.

“It’s all systems go and we are practically completed,” he said. 

 “All that is remaining is the ceremonial part, which the client will communicate. As it is, the building is ready for use.”

Mburo said the handover conducted on-site was the technical phase, which focuses on verifying the full functionality of all systems within the tower.

“Today was the technical element of handing over, testing, and commissioning each component required for the operation of the building,” he said.

The formal ceremonial handover will follow later, once relevant government departments align schedules and issue official communication.

Several critical systems were tested and certified during the handover process.

“The lifts have been tested and commissioned by government inspectors,” Mburo said.

 “The ICT components that enhance communication, power systems, both raw and green energy, water reticulation, and black water disposal are all functioning efficiently.”

He said a biodigester has been installed to manage effluent from the building, ensuring compliance with modern environmental standards.

The new tower replaces an aging facility built decades ago, which Mburo described as “more or less a colonial tower.”

“What we have now is a state-of-the-art facility built to international standards,” he said.

“It will upgrade Kisumu Airport to an international level and is a timeless building designed for the future.”

The project was initially expected to take 18 months but was completed in 20 months due to unusually heavy rainfall and El Niño conditions that disrupted construction.

“Kisumu experienced major rainfall over the past two years,” Mburo said. 

“Stormwater flowed towards the site, and for safety reasons, especially with construction going up to the eighth floor, we had to halt work during rainy seasons.”

He said despite losing nearly five months, the team worked overtime to recover lost time, resulting in only a two-month extension.

“We burned the midnight oil and recovered much of the lost time, we pride ourselves on quality and teamwork,” Mburo said.

Interior PS Raymond Omollo said the tower will enhance the airport’s operational efficiency, safety and airspace management, allowing it to handle growing air traffic more effectively.

“Kisumu International Airport, already classified as a Class 3 facility, now strengthens its position as a key aviation hub in Kenya and the lake region,” he said.

The tower is expected to support seamless connectivity within Kenya and to neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, contributing to regional trade, tourism and economic activity.

PS Omollo said the government is focused on expanding Kenya’s aviation capacity through strategic investments in modern infrastructure to enhance safety, efficiency and regional competitiveness.

The Sh314 million project, launched in September 2023, was undertaken by Polish contractors and designed to meet global aviation standards.

The tower’s elevated position provides air traffic controllers with a clear 360-degree view of the airspace, enabling smoother and safer aircraft operations.

The facility is expected to facilitate international flights to Kisumu, allowing some to land directly without routing through Nairobi.

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, during the project’s launch, described the tower as a critical asset that enhances the airport’s operational capacity and reinforces Kisumu’s role as a regional gateway linking countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

With the new ATC tower operational, Kisumu International Airport is poised to play a larger role in regional connectivity, economic growth and Kenya’s broader ambitions in aviation.

The project also aligns with President William Ruto’s broader agenda to expand Kenya’s aviation capacity and enhance regional competitiveness.