Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi joined James Macharia, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development and Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Tourism in the ground breaking ceremony of the rehabilitation of airside pavements and air field ground lighting system at the Moi International Airport (MIA) Mombasa.
Macharia said the airport will be refurbished for a period of two years at a cost of Sh7 billion.
The development is aimed at improving the standards of safety of aircrafts by reducing the risk of damage to an aircraft in the event of an overrun or undershoot.
The MIA Mombasa, Kingi said, has had a significant increase of direct chartered flights landing at the airport due to the influx of tourists flooding in to enjoy the beauty of Mombasa.
"This rehabilitation exercise is therefore openly welcomed by the County Government of Mombasa as it will positively complement our efforts of promoting tourism and investment in the county," he said on Tuesday.
Other leaders present were Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi and Transport PS Esther Koimett.
"In the meantime, whilst we wait for the completion of the planned rehabilitation works, it is our hope that the local economy shall immensely benefit with the improved face of the airport," added Kingi.