The Government of Kenya has allocated KSh5 billion for the expansion of Malindi airport, seeking to boost tourism in the North Coast.
The project has stalled for 18 years due to compensation wrangles between landowners and government.
According to the National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC), the expansion project is now ready to take off after the government set aside funds to compensate the landowners who will be affected by the project.
Susan Mochache, an official at NDITC and who is also the Health principal secretary said the expansion of the runway will allow larger planes and cargo flights to land in Malindi to boost tourism and business in general.
According to KAA, the Malindi Airport needs at least 259 hectares of land to enable the airport handle bigger commercial aircrafts, as well as direct international flights, hence increasing tourist arrivals.
The facility currently sits on 100.6 hectares of land, with the first phase of the expansion having covered expansion of the airport’s apron, construction of a car park and a 7.5-kilometer security fence.
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