Governors from the North Rift are helping revive cargo handling business at Eldoret International Airport.
The business had been suspended for one year.
The governors, under the North Rift Economic Bloc (Noreb), met stakeholders at the airport to finalise plans on how to revive and sustain cargo imports and exports at the airport.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who is also Noreb chairman, said they met officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Cargo Handlers Association and farmers.
The county bosses were at the airport on Saturday to receive the first cargo.
“We are excited that we have reached an agreement to work together and ensure we fully revive cargo handling business at this airport and sustain the same as part of efforts to grow the economy of our region and the country,” Sang said.
He said, together with the KRA and other agencies, they have dealt with the issues that led to the suspension of the cargo business.
“We have streamlined all issues to do with clearing of cargo and matters to do with taxation processes so we have seamless operations at the airport for the benefit of our country,” Sang said.
He was with Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and Uasin Gishu's Jonathan Bii.
Also present were KRA commissioner for customs and border control Lilian Nyawanda, Cargo Consolidators Association chairman Mohammed Abrudrahman and Cargo Consolidators Association secretary general Abdulrahman Bashir.
Sang said they were working with farmers to look into how to increase production of fresh produce for export.
“As Noreb, we have done some good groundwork to ensure our farmers diversify and grow high value crops that can be exported. Moving forward, we know this facility will be a busy hub in cargo handling,” he said.
They are also working with Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen to expand the runway and improve other facilities. The improvements include provision of jet fuel.
Abdulrahman said cargo consolidators were ready to work with other stakeholders to put to use the airport.
He said they hope to have a daily cargo flight at the airport but they would work with all stakeholders to achieve the target.
“We are really interested in seeing this airport sustain both in bound and outgoing cargo so that flights that come in with cargo do not leave empty,” Abdulrahman said.
Nyawanda said they had agreed on a framework to revive the cargo handling at the airport.
