Traders’ high hopes as elevated Kisumu airport opens its doors

The much-awaited opening of the upgraded Kisumu airport has stirred the lakeside town, with the business community upbeat it marks the revival of trade in the region.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will on Thursday open the upgraded Kisumu International Airport, which previously only handled domestic flights.

The Sh3.3 billion project started in 2009 and involved the expansion of the runway by 3,000 metres, the construction of taxi way, apron and a new terminal that can now hold up 600 people per hour.

Traders in western Kenya and the Great Lakes region argue that the airport is just what the impetus the region needed after tumultuous times following the 2008 post-election violence that rocked the region.

Mr Andrew Toboso, Vision 2030 director of marketing and strategy, says the international status of the airport and its strategic location in the Great Lakes region will be key in the light of the East Africa Community common market.

“The airport is located next to a trans-boundary water mass and plans are underway to improve the railway line from Mombasa to Kisumu and the road network in the region  is being upgraded.

“This will spread  the befits not only to that part of the country but to the whole region as well,” explains Mr Toboso.

Mr Punit Shah, the marketing director of United Millers in Kisumu, says the opening of the upgraded airport is important for companies in western Kenya seeking a regional presence.

Maseno University Economics lecturer Jashua Wanjare argues that the airport, like other infrastructure projects, will attract investors to venture into the region.

“The airport and the good roads are not beneficial if people do not tap into them. The big question should be how to take advantage of the airport,” notes Dr Wanjare.

He says that the revival of the lake transport coupled with repair of the Kericho-Kisumu and Kisumu-Busia highways as well as the availability of rail transport will greatly enhance the lake side town’s position as Eastern Africa’s trade hub.

Among the sectors that are likely to benefit from improved transport include agriculture, tourism, trade and transport.

Nyanza provincial director of agriculture Joash Owiro says that horticulture is one of the sectors that will benefit most.

“The whole of the province has a good rainfall pattern especially in the Kisii highlands. There are irrigation schemes with abundant water from the rivers and the lake that can ensure a constant supply of water throughout the year,” says Mr Owiro.

Flower farming

Already farmers in Siaya and Homa Bay counties have embraced flower farming.

Mr Owiro urges residents to take advantage of the airport to venture into horticulture.

Dr Wajare, however, argues that farmers may have to think hard before shifting to cash crop farming because it could lead to food insecurity in the region.

Real estate developer Eric Ounga says that there had been a fantasy among the locals that the airport would bring with it freebies, which is far from the truth.

“The airport is now here and we no longer have an excuse. We need to take advantage of the airport even in a small way. If the locals do not do it, someone else will and let them not cry later that they have been marginalised,” says Mr Ounga.

He argues that lack of good hotels, housing and serviced apartments are some of the problems that those travelling to Kisumu are likely to face.

He urges investors to tap into underdeveloped real estate and service industry in the region.

“Many have been arguing that they cannot construct good hotels because tourists do not come to the region. They should take the risk and invest in good facilities to attract the tourists,” says Mr Ounga.

The multi-billion upgrade has not had a smooth sail.

At one time the surface was too poor, prompting national carrier Kenya Airways to suspend its flights until repairs were carried out.

Then there was the Kogony clan, which had threatened to paralyse operations at the airport, claiming that they had not been adequately compensated for their land.

Construction interrupted

Construction works were in October last year interrupted after members of the Kogony clan moved to claim full compensation for their land and an ultra modern double stream primary school.

According to nominated councillor George Weda, the clan was to be compensated with land in Muhoroni, which they claimed never materialised.

“The airport management is going on with construction even as we are yet to be fully compensated. No fencing will continue until we are fully compensated,” he said.

The protesters alleged that private developers had also been allowed to construct their firms on the land, which was meant to be for the airport construction.

“When we gave up the land we knew it was for the airport which was going to develop this region but now we are seeing big companies setting up their firms in there,” said Mr Weda.

Kogony ward councillor Joseph Osir claimed that the community had been promised an ultra modern two-stream school worth Sh50 million, but they were later informed that they would have a one-stream school worth Sh19 million.

“We demand to know what happened to the Sh31 million which we understand had been set aside for the construction of an ultra-modern primary school,” he said.

The residents also claimed that the only access road linking them to the main road was about to be fenced off.

They presented their concerns through a letter copied to the Nyanza provincial commissioner, Transport permanent secretary, Nyanza PPO, the Kisumu airport manager and the MP for Kisumu Town West.

The Kenya Airports Authority managed to iron out the thorny issues, allowing the completion of the upgrade.

The airport was built in 1930 on the shores of Lake Victoria and currently handles seven scheduled airlines operating Kisumu-Nairobi, Kisumu-Eldoret-Nairobi, Kisumu-Entebe and Kisumu-Mwanza roputes. 

The airlines that operate at the airport are Kenya Airways, Jet link, Executive Turbine, Lake Victoria Aviation, and Fly 540.  

Kisumu airport was widely used during the second World War. 

Although many had pegged that hopes that that the completion of the facility would on its own change fortunes, many are waking up to the reality that it is but the beginning.