Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says the government will ensure quick expansion of facilities at the Eldoret International Airport as part of efforts to make the facility commercially viable.
Among the facilities to be expanded is the runway to 4.5km to accommodate larger aircrafts.
The state is also in the process of tendering to provide jet fuel at the airport instead of having planes refuel in Nairobi.
Murkomen was speaking at the airport where he led the re-launching of Kenya Airways, which was been suspended in 2014.
“With the return of Kenya Airways flights to Eldoret, we celebrate another advance in the transport sector as the national carrier launches its 44th destination,” the CS said.
He said KQ, which had faced turbulent times, was on the path to recovery and would always lead in marketing the country as a great tourism destination, hence helping to grow the economy.
The CS said Eldoret would soon be elevated to city status and plans were underway to expand the road from Kapsabet to Iten to be a dual carriage, apart from developing the Eastern Bypass that will help with decongestion.
Murkomen praised the athletes for the role they play in marketing the county internationally.
The re-launch of KQ flights to Eldoret comes as the national government and governors from the North Rift region work to revive cargo handling business which had stalled at the airport for the last one year.
KQ said in a statement that the passenger flights at the airport will run for five days weekly: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“The resumption of the flights will expand KQ’s network within the local market and enhance regional connectivity offering seamless travel experiences for both business and leisure travellers,” KQ chief executive Allan Kilavuka said.
The governors, under the North Rift Economic Bloc, two weeks ago met with other stakeholders to finalise plans on how to revive and sustain cargo imports and exports at the airport. Imports and exports were at the facility suspended last year.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who is also chairman of the Noreb counties, said they had met with stakeholders, including officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Cargo Handlers Association and farmers who in fresh produce business.
“We are excited that we have reached an agreement to work together and ensure that we will fully revive cargo handling business at this airport and sustain the same as part of efforts to grow the economy of our region and country,” Sang said.
He said they had, together with KRA, other agencies and stakeholders, dealt with issues which caused the suspension of the cargo business.
“We have streamlined all issues to do with clearing of cargo and taxation processes so that we have seamless operations at the airport,” the governor said.
Murkomen was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Jonathan Bii, Kilavuka and celebrated athletes Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon, among others.
