The government of Kenya through the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) is set to start phase II expansion of Malindi
International Airport. The project will see the airport’s runway extended from
the current 1.5 km to 2.5 km to enable the handling of larger flights.
Mohamed Karama, the Malindi Airport manager said
that they have already awarded the contract for this project and they are
currently engaging the consultant on the action plan for the extension of the
runway.
Upon completion of this project, the airport is
expected to handle direct international flights. This will increase tourist
arrivals and significantly improve the economy of the region which largely
depends on tourism.
According to Kilifi County Commissioner Magu
Mutindika, the major challenge facing the kickoff of this project is failure of
some squatters to vacate the land earmarked for the expansion even after being
compensated.
The county commissioner was speaking when he led
the Presidential Delivery Unit on a tour of government projects in Malindi
accompanied by officers from the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA).
While still on the tour, Mutindika mentioned that
the national government is keen on improving the economy of the region by
fast-tracking ongoing infrastructural projects.
Some of these projects include the tarmacking of
116-km Malindi-Sala Gate Road in Tsavo East National Park whose completion
stands at 82%. The Sabaki Bridge-Marikebuni-Marafa Road is also being tarmacked
and 41% of the work has been completed.
Furthermore, the construction of Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi, which has the capacity to host 5,000 learners is 53% complete and its first intake is expected to take place in September 2020.https://constructionreviewonline.com/2019/09/kenya-to-embark-on-phase-ii-expansion-of-malindi-international-airport/
