The long-awaited revival of Isiolo International Airport is inching closer to reality, with the Ministry of Roads and Transport seeking Ksh 4.8 billion from the National Treasury for an extensive upgrade in the next financial year.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir announced that the funds will be used to rehabilitate and expand the airport’s runway, which has remained unusable due to persistent flooding.
The runway will be extended from its current length of 1.4 kilometers to 3.5 kilometers, making it suitable for international flights and larger aircraft.”The funding will fully operationalize the airport and boost economic activity in the region,” Chirchir said.
Despite being part of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor and earmarked as one of Kenya’s three resort cities, Isiolo town has not yet reaped the full benefits of its international airport due to infrastructural challenges.
The proposed facelift is expected to position Isiolo as a critical hub for tourism, trade, and regional connectivity.In addition to Isiolo, Chirchir revealed that Eldoret International Airport is also lined up for maintenance and expansion to support the growing horticulture export sector in the Rift Valley.
The ministry is further seeking budgetary support to upgrade and maintain 440 airstrips across the country as part of a broader effort to enhance aviation infrastructure and regional accessibility.
With improved infrastructure, the government hopes to unlock the economic potential of key regions and boost Kenya’s competitiveness in regional and international trade.
