The airstrip was commissioned for use after undergoing rehabilitation and expansion by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) at a cost of Sh174.7million.
By Seliphar Musungu, Kakamega
Kakamega Airstrip will start its official operation as from Wednesday this week, this is according to area Governor Fernandes Barasa.
Barasa said that the completion of the airstrip will also help in decongesting the Kisumu International Airport.
He said that passengers from Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma will now be able to use the airstrip instead of having to travel to Kisumu.
The governor said that the airstrip having been rehabilitated to the international standards; it will now be able to allow landing and taking off of cargo and passenger aircraft.
President William Ruto commissioned the airstrip last week after undergoing rehabilitation and expansion by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) at a cost of Sh174.7million.
“As I stand here I am a happy Governor and I would like to thank the national government for its support in completion of some of the projects like Kakamega Airstrip which will start operating as from this week after receiving an official landing from Nairobi,” said Barasa
He added: “I encourage Kakamega residents to use the airstrip since it will be affordable as we plan for its expansion,”
Barasa said that other incomplete projects like the level six hospital will be completed with finances from the national government.
He said the hospital will give over 500 direct jobs to Kakamega residents.
“Level six hospital will provide more 500 job opportunities to Kakamega County residents and the national government has promised to provide us Sh3billion for us to complete that hospital,” said Barasa
On the other hand, Area Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has appealed to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to distribute teacher’s positions equitably.
“I would like to request the TSC to ensure there equitable distribution of the 35000 vacancies they declared. Eery county should get an equal share of the slots but Kakamega county to be given a bigger share since it is amongst the largest counties in Kenya,” said Savula
Kakamega County Assembly Deputy speaker Benard Shitiabai condemned actions of Senator Bonny Khalwale of scaring away business investors in Kakamega county urging him to take politics away from businesses.
“We have leaders in Kakamega county who are scaring away investors through politics. Let’s put politics aside and let investors and business people do their jobs. I would like to condemn Senator Bonny Khalwale’s utterances on investors and business owners in Kakamega town. Such utterances scare away investors who are job providers in Kakamega County,” said Shitiabai
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