The Kisumu International Airport/FILE
The government has announced plans to expand Kisumu International Airport in a transformative move aimed at positioning the lakeside city as a hub for international trade.
Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo said the expansion will include the extension of the airport's runway and the construction of a modern cargo terminal complete with cold storage facilities.
According to Owalo, the expansion is designed to enable the direct export of perishable goods such as fresh fish, African leafy vegetables, and other high-demand farm produce from the Lake Region to international markets.
The cold storage facility is expected to preserve the quality and increase shelf life of fresh exports, giving farmers in western Kenya a competitive edge in global markets.
“The government is already constructing fish landing sites along Lake Victoria, complete with storage facilities. Once the airport is upgraded, our fishermen will be able to export fish directly from Kisumu," he said.
Owalo emphasised that the airport upgrade aligns with the government’s broader strategy to enhance infrastructure in the Nyanza region to unlock the area's economic potential.
The move, he said, was expected to attract agro-processors, logistics companies and exporters to Kisumu, creating thousands of jobs and revitalising the local economy.
In addition to the airport project, Owalo confirmed that the government was fast-tracking stalled road projects, including the Muhoroni-Miwani–Mamboleo Road, where partial payments have already been made to three contractors.
Speaking during a funeral at Wathorego village in Kisumu East Sub-County, Owalo assured residents that his office will ensure work resumes promptly and that accountability will be strictly enforced.
Owalo further revealed that discussions were ongoing with the World Bank to fund the construction of the Lake Victoria Ring Road, a strategic route that will encircle the lake and connect key towns across multiple counties.
The designs and feasibility for the project, he said, have been finalised, adding that the government was committed to constructing the roa,d which is expected to boost inter-county trade, tourism, and regional integration.
The extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu, he adde,d remains a top priority, alongside the construction of critical water infrastructure such as the Koru–Soin Dam.
"The dam will play a key role in water storage, irrigation and flood control, especially in Nyando and surrounding areas that have long suffered from seasonal flooding," he said.
The comprehensive infrastructure plan, he added, reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive development and economic transformation of the Lake Region.
He cautioned contractors against unnecessary delays saying those who fail to complete projects within the set timeliness shall be blacklisted.
"We have some contractors who take more projects than they can handle, thus are unable to complete them as scheduled. We are going to blacklist them to ensure they are not awarded any government projects in future," he said.
