KISUMU, Kenya, Jan 15 – The national government will break ground for a transit cargo shed at the Kisumu international airport in March this year.
This is according to the Airport’s Manager Selina Gor who says this is part of plans to boost activities at the airport.
Gor added that the transit shed is also expected to expand the facility’s cargo handling capacity with plans to kick off exports especially of horticulture.
“We have key industry players in the horticulture industry, fresh produce, and export of flowers. We have partners who will help in developing transit cargo shed,” she said.
The manager added that their intention is to also make the airport a key cargo entry and exit point for the lake region economic bloc.
“Kisumu International Airport is strategically positioned within the Great Lakes Region and we want to turn Kisumu county in Singapore within the region,” she said.
Gor said the government is also looking at plans to enhance the parking area for the airplanes and increasing the size of the airport terminal ahead of the Africities summit in November.
Commenting on the same, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said the expansion of the airport will be key for development of the region as it gives hope to farmers in the area.
He added that Kisumu County has the potential to grow horticulture produce and many farmers some of whom had quit sugarcane farming due to the run-down of factories can turn to the trade.
“The airport will facilitate the export of fresh produce from Kisumu to the rest of the world to put money in the pockets of our farmers who have endured the collapse of the sugar industry,” he said.
