The expansion of the Malindi International Airport is set to begin. This is happening after the Kenyan government set aside a total of 5 Billion Kenyan Shillings for the planned expansion. The move is being seen by observers as a potential boost for tourism in the North Coast particularly which has experienced a sort of standstill.
The Malindi International Airport expansion project has been in the works for a period of 18 years as a result of compensation negotiations between the Kenyan government and the landowners. This resulted in tourism the area which is usually a favorited destination for tourists; Italians majorly, being negatively affected.
According to the National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC) the Malindi International Airport expansion project is now ready to begin with the funds set aside by the Kenyan government to properly compensate the landowners who will be affected by the expansion.
An official at the National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC); Susan Mochache stated that, “A lot of tourists coming from Europe would like to have their planes landing here but the kind of aircraft that come in with tourists from those countries usually require a long span of runaway. The current runaway is about 1.4km but for larger planes to land here requires an additional 2km.”
The tourism sector in the North Coast reportedly experienced a significant decline as a result of the still ongoing Coronavirus pandemic which also affected International markets worldwide.
The Health Principal Secretary of the National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC); Susan Mochache made it known that the expansion of the runway at the Malindi International Airport will make it possible for cargo flights and larger planes to land in Malindi resulting in a boost in business generally as well as a corresponding boost in tourism.
In her words, “We can thereafter adequately land the kind of aircraft that will bring in the number of tourists we are looking at and the size of cargo aircraft that would like to land here but are limited by runway.”
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An official of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers; Dr Sam Ikwaye said that the upgrade of the Malindi International Airport will make it easier for tourists to gain access to the region.
He stated that, “Accessibility is an important factor in the revival of tourism in North Coast. But we have been having a challenge in Malindi as tourists are forced to land in Mombasa before connecting to Malindi which has been cumbersome due to traffic snarl-up.”
According to Dr Sam Ikwaye the direct flights landing in the Malindi International Airport, will benefit the region and also lead to an additional increase in the value of properties and investments in the surrounding areas as prices will rise.
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In his words, “Auxiliary services like agriculture and other utilities that depend on a functioning airport will be attracted to the area. The area has an extensive agricultural sector which will boost cargo business at the airport.”
The National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC)’s Health Principal Secretary; Susan Mochache pointed at land acquisition as the biggest challenge that the Malindi International Airport has been faced with.
According to her, “There is land that we need to acquire for Kenya Airport Authority. We have managed to acquire some part of it where this terminal is built and compensation was given to the landowners. But we now have a budget of Sh5 billion to expand the runaway.”
She added that the Kenyan government will speed up access to the funds to ensure that the land can be acquired and compensation provided for the acquired land(s).
The Health Principal Secretary of the National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC) warned however, against any of the landowners carrying out any development on their lands.
In her words, “I urge the people to limit development. They know there is an intention by the government to develop that land and there’s no point of developing it yet we are now almost at the point where we are almost confident that compensation will be done.”
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When speaking on the development and expansion of the Malindi International Airport Susan Mochache stated that both are integral if the demand of tourists who are looking to come to the area are to be met.
Mohammed Karama who is the Airport Manager for the Malindi International Airport enjoined the Kenyan government to hasten the compensation process so as to ensure that the project begins.
In his words, “Our consultant has already conducted environmental impact assessment and further came up with reallocation action plan which was forwarded and approved by the National Environmental Management Authority to start the project.”
He added that the more delays are incurred, the more the cost of the project will rise.
The Airport Manager added that, “We don’t encourage any development to be continued in the area, kindly halt them to give us an easy time.”
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