The Kericho airstrip will be ready for use for guests who will be attending the Mashujaa Day celebrations in the South Rift county on Friday.
Roads and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen said the airstrip is now ready to receive aircraft.
The CS who toured the facility said he was satisfied with the progress made in the construction of the airstrip, which is being undertaken by the Kenya Airports Authority with the support of the Kenya Defence Forces.
“I am excited to note that the test landing and take-off was successful and our First Lady HE Mama Rachel Ruto became the first person to land and take off from the airstrip," the CS said during the tour on Friday.
“I am also happy that the first phase of the construction work will be completed before Mashujaa Day with plans underway to embark on phase two of the project which will entail the paving and expansion of the runway from the current 1.2kms to 2kms."
The government is already in talks with Ekaterra Tea Company to fast-track the process of land acquisition and allow the issuance of operation licences, expansion of works and the construction of a modern terminal at the airstrip.
“We are also working hard to complete the construction of 12 other airstrips across the country to facilitate faster movement of people and goods, promote tourism, enhance access to emergency medical services, and enable the growth of local economies,” Murkomen said.
He lauded engineers and foremen for working round the clock to ensure works at the Kericho Green Stadium, the venue of the Mashujaa Day celebrations, are completed on time.
"So far so good, what I have seen here is a testimony that the works at the stadium are complete," he said.
A 10-km earth road from Kericho town to the venue has been tarmacked ahead of the celebrations and more road works will be undertaken as the town looks to gain city status.
Murkomen lauded Governor Eric Mutai for clearing shanties that had lined up along the stadium road with the ghettos owners being relocated to the new market next to the stadium.
The minister said the town can not be elevated to a city when still being surrounded by shanties.
