Grazing field now becomes busy airstrip

It was called the forgotten airstrip, and the only time villagers would hear the drone of an aircraft was when top government officials came visiting.

Villagers of Buchina and Buteheri, who had been using Kakamega Airstrip as a grazing field, would hurriedly lead away their cattle before the plane landed.

Indeed, things have not been easy for the growing number of executives, government officials, lecturers and others from the area preferring to travel by air.

With flights only available from Kisumu, people had to drive on the bumpy road from Kakamega to be in time for the flights.

They do not have to do this any more, as two weeks ago, budget airline Fly540, launched the first passenger flight from Nairobi to Kakamega.

Now things are changing fast. Even villagers are positioning themselves to benefit. Boda boda operators, for example, are hoping for better business, ferrying passengers to and from the airport.

Four MPs from Western were among the first passengers on the airline’s inaugural flight from Nairobi. They were Mr Alfred Khang’ati (Kanduyi), Mr Justus Mugali (Shinyalu), Mr Manyala Keya (Lurambi) and Mr Bwifoli Wakoli (Bumula).

Economic growth

The MPs said the flights would stimulate economic growth in the region whose people largely depend on agriculture.

“Our people now have an opportunity to venture fully into horticultural farming and be able to transport products directly to the markets,” Mr Mugali said.

Plans are already in place to move villagers at Buchina and Buteheri to create more room for the expansion of the airstrip to accommodate bigger planes.

The manager in charge of the airstrip, Mr Josphat Omachi, said 20 acres of land was needed for the expansion. Mr Mugali was quick to assure the affected families that the government would compensate them.

Indeed, if there is one thing the airstrip needs, it is expansion. For the airport only boasts a small office the size of a city council toilet block, and passengers are frisked in the open field before being cleared to board.

The airport is more active, compared to its cattle grazing days. Each morning, passengers arrive to await the morning flight to Nairobi, while friends and relatives wait patiently to welcome their loved ones arriving by the same flight.

Arrival of plane

Passengers are ushered into the tiny office to await the arrival of the plane, while others spend their time gazing at the captivating Kakamega Forest to the east.

The tarmac on the 1.5 kilometre stretch of airstrip is wearing off in places — thanks to the herders who caused some damage — but the condition is good enough to allow smooth landing and take-off.

Airstrip officer-incharge Josphat Omachi said officials from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority had inspected the place and given it a clean bill for landing.

A steady number of passengers have been turning up at the Fly 540 offices in Kakamega to make bookings for the morning flight. The Fly 540 plane from Nairobi arrives at 7.50am and departs at 8.15am.

An official of the airline who did not wish to be named said the passenger flights to Kakamega airstrip was working smoothly.

“We have been making an average booking of 15 passengers each day, an indication that the demand for our service is steadily growing,” the official said.

Security has been beefed up, and passengers go through checks under the steady gaze of Administration police officers.

The airline has plans to introduce afternoon flights on Fridays and Sundays, depending on the volume of business. A return ticket costs Sh9,500.

The flights will give a big boost to the region’s untapped tourism. Kenya Wildlife Service assistant director in charge western Kenya, Mr Daniel Onsembe, said: “The poor condition of our roads have been our undoing.”