Kisumu International Airport. Kenya Airports Authority Chairman David
Kimaiyo has challenged counties in the Western Kenya economic bloc to
take advantage of the cargo handling centre at the Kisumu International
Airport. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Counties in the Western Kenya economic bloc have been challenged
to take advantage of the cargo handling centre at the Kisumu
International Airport.
Kenya Airports Authority board
chairman David Kimaiyo on Wednesday asked the counties to create
products that can compete in global markets.
The
authority is seeking investors to set up cargo handling infrastructure
at Kisumu airport, following the completion of fuel depot and cargo
aprons.
The two components had not been set up at the airport despite the elevation of the lakeside airport to international status.
Mr Kimaiyo asked the 13 counties that form the Western Kenya economic bloc to seize the opportunity to grow economically.
OPPORTUNITIES
Investors
in Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nyamira,
Siaya, Vihiga, Bomet, Trans Nzoia and Kericho counties stand to benefit
from the centre.
“They must now move with speed in
their plans that will make the airport busier than it is today,” Mr
Kimaiyo said when he met with Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, who is the
chairman of the economic bloc.
However, Mr Ben Kitoto,
the chief executive of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce, Kisumu
arm, said the challenge was now on farmers and other investors to
consider coming up with products that can be traded at the international
markets.
“Now that there are facilities, we ask all
our members to create the products for the development to make economic
sense,” said Mr Kitoto.
Kisumu airport handles mainly passenger planes, which have also increased arrivals to the region to at least 400,000 annually.
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