The Kenya Airports Authority chairman David Kimaiyo on Friday paid a courtesy call to Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago in a bid to create a partnership between the county and the authority.
Speaking during the visit, Kimaiyo said there is need for the county government and KAA to cooperate, hold meetings and plan the expansion of airports especially the Eldoret International Airport.
“This region is a producer of raw agricultural products which are viable for export. The region produces at least 45-48 per cent of flowers from Baringo, Trans Nzoia and Kericho that are exported through JKIA. We want these products to move through Eldoret International Airport. We are aware of the traffic at JKIA. The authority needs to work on a plan to ensure there are more flights from Eldoret International Airport to other regions,” said Kimaiyo.
On his part Mandago said Eldoret is becoming a centre for business that will require a lot of travelling, and so it has a ready market.
“Our athletes and other business people are forced to travel by road at night so as to be back the following day because the flights leaving Eldoret to other destinations are full. Eldoret is growing at a fast rate. We also need more flights to ease traffic at the JKIA,” said the Governor.
“FLY 540 is willing to start flights to Entebbe. KAA should make this possible as the flight demand to this part of the region is high. Therefore, this will improve the livelihoods of our people. The county will put up plans to acquire land for expansion of the airport,” he added.