The second phase of the upgrading of Kisumu International Airport to accommodate bigger planes has commenced to the tune of Sh600 million.
The expansion to be undertaken by China Oversees Engineering Group (COVEC) is scheduled to take 13 months and will have the widths of the runway increased from 45 metres to 60 metres.
Kisumu Airport manager Joseph Okumu said after the completion of the expansion, bigger planes will be able to land at the airport.
“This expansion project will also increase the strength of the runway,” he said.
Okumu said cargo planes will also start flying to the lakeside city and appealed to the locals to embark on farming of more food crops for export.
“This is an opportunity for the people of Western to start in earnest farming food and cash crops that will be exported to outside countries by these cargo planes,” he said.
Speaking on Monday during the commencement of the expansion project, the manager said the expansion will spur economic growth in the Western Region.
Chinese embassy to Kenya Economic and Commercial Counsellor Guo Ce who represented Chinese ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said Kenya has remained the top tourist destination in Africa for Chinese people.
Ce said with the opening up of Western Kenya region through putting up infrastructures to accommodate large planes, tourism sites in the region will now attract Chinese people.
“Most Chinese people have been visiting Maasai Mara, but with the expansion of the airport, bigger planes will come here and Chinese people will visit this region in droves,” he said.