Leaders blocking airstrip construction in Nakuru
A contractor who was evicted on a piece of land where a proposed airstrip is to be constructed in Nakuru County on November 3, 2015. Efforts by the government to construct an airstrip in Nakuru have been frustrated by divisions among local leaders over its location. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Leaders from Rongai sub-county led by Visoi Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) David Gitau Kamau want the facility constructed on a 700-acre farm in the Rongai and not in Pipeline area as earlier proposed.
- Prospects by the KCAA of building the airstrip at Pipeline were abandoned in 2014, after the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) declined to approve the project on grounds that the airport land lay along flamingo migratory route.
Efforts by the government to construct an airstrip in Nakuru have been frustrated by divisions among local leaders over its location.
This is even as investors push for its speedy implementation to boost tourism and flower exports from the region.
At the centre of the controversy is a 600-acre piece of land in Pipeline on the outskirts of Nakuru Town.
Leaders from Rongai sub-county led by Visoi Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) David Gitau Kamau want the facility constructed on a 700-acre farm in the Rongai and not in Pipeline area as earlier proposed.
According to the leaders, the Pipeline site is a birds’ migratory corridor hence not suitable for the facility.
The leaders who spoke to the Nation expressed fears that construction of the airport at the Pipeline site might interfere with flamingoes on Lake Nakuru.
“Why should the airstrip be established where it is likely to scare away flamingos which are the main symbols of tourism in Nakuru when there is land in Rongai?” wondered Mr Kamau the Visoi ward MCA.
He added: “The need to establish the airstrip away from birds is underlined by losses incurred when planes collide with birds.”
The leaders now want the government to move the project to Rongai.
They have also expressed concern of delays by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to actualize the plans more than five years since the idea was mooted.
Another section of leaders led by area Members of parliament have supported plans that the facility be constructed at the Pipeline area.
The leaders led by the Rift Valley Council of Elders chairman Gilbert Kabage have warned that tussles over its location may lead to stalling of the project.
“We want the airport to boost trade and tourism in Nakuru and its construction should be hastened,” Mr Kabage told the Nation.co.ke.
Prospects by the KCAA of building the airstrip at Pipeline were abandoned in 2014, after the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) declined to approve the project on grounds that the airport land lay along flamingo migratory route.
On their part Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and his deputy Joseph Rutto in an interview last year said there was a great need for an airstrip in Nakuru.
County Executive in charge of Transport Joel Maina Kairu said the KCAA was yet to communicate the progress on construction of the airport.
