The Kiatle Airstrip renovation is set to begin after the national government awarded a Kshs 221 million contract to cater for the project. Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa said the renovation and rehabilitation of the airstrip is set to benefit Trans Nzoia County, “We don’t want to lose business in Trans Nzoia because airplanes can’t reach Trans Nzoia, they reach Eldoret and fly back to Nairobi,” he said, while commissioning the project on Friday.
Official work on the airstrip, constituting Phase One of the project is set to commence on Saturday. Phase One will take 18 months, “We have told the contractor that the whole task and assignment should benefit the youths from Trans Nzoia County,” said CS Wamalwa. He said he has urged the County Governor, MCAs and other leaders to follow up and ensure land is availed for Phase 2.
The expansion of the Kitale airstrip was already discussed before, with Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba previously noting that it will hep to boost business in the County. Expansion of the airstrip has been the main focus, with land set to be acquired near the airstrip to facilitate its expansion.