Kenya Secures Ksh300 Million To Expand Airport
The Kenyan government has set aside more than Ksh300 million to rebuild Manda Airport and provide electricity to the coastal island.
This step is expected to streamline airport operations after years of using generators to supply the airport’s electrical requirements, despite Lamu Island’s critical importance in regional trade.
This development is part of a bigger plan to strengthen trade links between Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia via the Lamu Port.
Speaking in Lamu on Tuesday, November 19, Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo confirmed this and emphasized the importance of the facelift.
1/3 Deputy Chief of Staff, Performance and Delivery Management @EliudOwalo, the Lamu County Commissioner and Principal Secretary for Energy, Alex Wachira, conducted an inspection tour of Manda Airport today.
— Government Delivery Unit (@GDUDelivery) November 15, 2024
#DeliveringThePlanhttps://t.co/U83bQOPoA5 pic.twitter.com/hoHhZn3g3I
“Lamu Airport has more benefits than all the other ports, including Mombasa Port. This is because even its depth is 17.5 metres which means that bigger ships can dock here in Lamu,” Owalo stated.
According to Energy Principal Secretary, Alex Wachira, who was also present, the generators utilized on the airstrip frequently fail.
This causes an interruption in air transport activity, despite the fact that it is the only one that services the neighboring Lamu region.
The airport will also be extended to allow larger flights and eventually larger cargo.
“The Lamu Airport is the only one we have in this region of Manda, and it has had the problem of the runway being too short,” stated Wachira.
“The National government has also set aside Ksh189 million for the expansion so that we will be able to receive larger airplanes at the airport.”
Uwanja wa ndege Manda:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 19, 2024
Serikali yatenga Ksh.300m kusambaza umeme Manda
Uwanja wa ndege wa Manda huko Lamu kupanuliwa#SemaNaCitizen @swalehmdoe pic.twitter.com/xd6dYFpb4o
Over Ksh600 million has already been used to construct the Mokowe Jetty, which connects the island to dry land.
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Another Ksh3.8 billion was used to purchase modern equipment for loading and unloading containers at the Lamu port.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy remarked that increased security in Lamu County has resulted in more government projects being established in the county, hence expanding its economy.
“Lamu is currently very safe, and we thank the government for this. We have seen the total number of security officers from different sectors has increased here in Lamu, and this is a relief to the Lamu people,” Governor Timamy said.
To further increase trade operations on the island, the port will receive two more ships in two weeks; one for transporting livestock and the other for normal cargo.
Kenya Secures Ksh300 Million To Expand Airport
