KIBAKI OPENS NEW KISUMU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

President Mwai Kibaki (right) flanked by Prime Minister Raila Odinga unveils a commemorative plaque to mark the official opening of Kisumu International Airport on February 02, 2012. PHOTO / PPS 

By PPS
Posted  Thursday, February 2  2012 at  17:51

President Kibaki on Thursday opened the expanded Kisumu International Airport which previously only handled domestic flights.

Disclosing that the first phase of the Kisumu International Airport upgrading project was implemented at a cost of about Kshs 3 billion, the
President said the Government has already set aside Kshs 1.9 billion for the implementation of phase two of the airport upgrading project.

“This phase will include the construction of a parallel taxiway, cargo apron and associated facilities,” President Kibaki said.

The Head of State was addressing wananchi at Moi Stadium in Kisumu after he opened the Kisumu International Airport and commissioned the
rehabilitation of the Nyamasaria-Kisian road.

President Kibaki particularly singled out air transport and the aviation sector as a strategic industry in the global economy because of its
critical role of providing quick transportation of people and goods.

The President pointed out that the Government has put emphasis on the development of aviation infrastructure in the country.

Said the President: “Indeed, the expansion of facilities at Kisumu International Airport is part of an Airport Infrastructure improvement
programme.”

In this regard, President Kibaki said the two projects were important not only for the residents of Kisumu County but also to the country and the region as a whole.

The President expressed satisfaction that the successful upgrading of the Kisumu Airport would enhance its capacity to handle increased air traffic both from within the East African Community and internationally.

He said: “The largest type of passenger and cargo aircraft will now be able to land at this Airport. This presents enormous opportunities for
trade and investments.”

In this connection, the President challenged entrepreneurs engaged in the import and export business to explore new avenues of business within Kisumu and its environs so as to attract international cargo carriers.

The Head of State further encouraged stakeholders in the tourism sector to aggressively market tourist destinations such as Rusinga Island and
Kakamega Forest so as to attract increased domestic and international tourists in the airport.

Such efforts, the President asserted, would go a long way in improving the economic and social welfare of the residents in the country’s western region and beyond.

“I wish to challenge residents of this region to take advantage of the investments we are making. In particular I wish to see increased production so that the expanded airports and improved roads can be used to better the lives of the people, ” President Kibaki observed.

On road network improvement, the President said the rehabilitation and reconstruction of a 33 kilometre road around and within Kisumu City at a cost of about Kshs 6 billion would ease the movement of vehicle traffic in and out of the city.

“I am confident that this project, together with several others being implemented by the Government such as the expansion of the airport,
improvement of the road network as well as electrification of fish landing sites, will create a more conducive environment for doing business,” the President affirmed.

President Kibaki, once again, underscored that improved infrastructure would connect producers to markets and make Kisumu the major hub of the larger Lake Victoria Basin region.

Speaking during the occasion, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the ground-breaking for the Nyamasaria – Kisumu- Kisian road and opening of
Kisumu International Airport is a landmark event for the revival of the fortunes of the Western region.

“It goes a long way towards fulfilling our dream of linking and opening up all parts of Kenya through modern infrastructure,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister further pointed out that for Kenya to compete effectively at the international arena, the transport sector has to be
reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly.

In this regard, the Prime Minister said upgraded airport and the rehabilitated road would open up western Kenya.

“All these should give us hope that Kenya is poised for a takeoff; that Kenya’s moment is beckoning. For the people of Kisumu in particular and Western Kenya in general, the opening of the airport and launch of the road brings pleasant memories of the good old days,” the Prime Minister said.

Other speakers included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi, ministers Amos Kimunya, Franklin Bett, James Orengo, Otieno Kajwang, Dr. Paul Otuoma, Moses Wetangula, Musa Sirma, Dr. Noah Wekesa, Esther Murugi, Robinson Githae, Prof. George Saitoti, Prof. Sam Ongeri, Cris Obure, Prof. Anyang’ Nyongo and area MP Olago Aluoch among others.

The legislators appealed to President Kibaki and the Prime Minister to tour the country to preach peace so that the nation does not experience a
repeat of the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

Present were the Prime Minister’s wife Ida Odinga, Assistant Ministers Magerer Langat, Richard Onyonka, Manyala Keya, Prof. Ayiecho Olweny, Simon Ongari, Wifred Mbui, Manson Nyamweya, Alfred Khang’ati several Members of Parliament from across the country.