The Eldoret airport runway expansion project is underway, aiming to accommodate larger cargo aircraft, thereby impacting the agricultural export capacity for farmers and agri-businesses in Kenya's North Rift region.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board Chairman, Caleb Kositany, along with Regional Airport Manager Charles Kionga, recently met with the survey and design team to brief them on the expansion plan. The project involves extending the current 3.5-kilometer runway by 600 meters, resulting in a total length of 4.1 kilometers. This enhancement will allow Eldoret airport to handle wide-body cargo aircraft and escalate its payload capacity from 40 tons to 100 tons.

Kositany stated, "This project will empower local farmers and exporters by reducing logistics costs and creating direct links to international markets." The advancement is part of a broader strategy to establish Eldoret as a logistics and export hub. Additional investments are being made in cargo handling, cold storage, and value chain infrastructures to support perishable exports.

The expansion aims to alleviate the pressure on Nairobi's air cargo system while opening new trade routes for Kenya's horticultural and fresh produce industry. As this project progresses, regional stakeholders view Eldoret as a potential gateway for high-value agricultural exports.
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com