Bungoma’s Matulo Airstrip To Be Renamed After President Ruto

Bungoma’s Matulo Airstrip To Be Renamed After President Ruto

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has proposed renaming the Matulo Airstrip after President William Ruto.

Speaking at the Madaraka Day celebrations, the governor stated that the renaming would be prudent given the government’s plans to expand the airstrip.

According to Lusaka, the Bungoma County Government was determined to elevate the airstrip to the status of an international airport.

The airstrip is currently situated in Webuye, Bungoma County.

“Our airstrip at Matulo can now safely land a 35-seater plane but it is our wish and focus that it be upgraded to an international airport in the future.

“When it gets to that level, we want to propose on behalf of the people of Bungoma that it be named after you (Ruto),” he stated.

Ruto, for his part, steered clear of the proposals. Instead, he agreed to expand the airstrip, explaining that it would benefit the residents.

“I have agreed with the governor that he will buy land and that I will build more runway and a terminal. There will be no need to go to Kisumu and Eldoret,” Ruto stated.

Currently, only two airports are named after well-known leaders: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa, after Kenya’s first and second presidents.

The government renovated Matulo Airtrip in preparation for the national holiday celebrations.

According to Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the airstrip was moved to the outskirts of Webuye due to expansion plans.

The runway is currently 1.1 kilometres long, with plans to expand it to 2.5 kilometers.

“We have removed it from the town itself and we have taken it off town to Webuye so that it can be expanded enough and serve the counties in this region and Uganda,” said the CS.

Bungoma’s Matulo Airstrip To Be Renamed After President Ruto