Event set to mark first East Africa flight Saturday

 

A spectacular air show scheduled for Saturday will mark 101 years since the first aircraft flew in East Africa.

The first flight happened on August 8, 1915, when a British-assembled aircraft took off from Maktau in Taita Taveta County.

The aircraft played a major role in the British military campaign against Germans in World War I.

Then, Taita Taveta was an epicenter of the most brutal battles between German and British forces.

To date, there are still trenches, remnants of World War I artillery and mass graves in Voi, Taveta, Buras, Salaita and Maktau.

According to Tourism Executive Alexander Mwangeka, 15 aircraft will participate in tomorrow's event, which is sponsored by Standard Group, Sarova Hotels, Kenya Airports Authority and Guerillas of Tsavo.

Other sponsors include Tsavo Conservation Group, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, East African School of Aviation, Kenya Civil Aviation and Aero Clubs of East Africa.

"These celebrations give us a unique opportunity to reflect on the county's World War I heritage and the socio-economic development realised in the county over the last century," said Mr Mwangeka.

The event is expected to boost the county's tourism sector and showcase the region's investment opportunities.

Local hotels

According to Willy Mwadilo, manager of Sarova Taita Hills and Salt Lick Lodges, provisional bookings have been recorded in local hotels.

"I cannot tell you the exact number of local and foreign visitors who are already booked in local hotels but I can say there will be full bookings in our hotels during this commemorative event," he said.

The aircraft will land and take off from the hotel's airstrip.

Mr Mwadilo, who is also the chairman of the Tsavo and Amboseli Hotel Keepers and Caterers Association, said the event would help boost tourism in the region.

He said greater business activity, heightened co-operation between players in the sector and marketing for the event would stimulate the hospitality and tourism sectors.

"This event will create huge economic benefits not only for the tourism industry but also for the local economy of Maktau as visitors buy local products," added Mwangeka.

He said the air show would help create a positive image while developing and marketing battlefield tourism.

The region is dotted with numerous heritage landscapes, most of which are military features from World War I.

These include the Voi Commonwealth, Maktau (Mwakitau) and Taveta Commonwealth war graves.