Ghost Kakamega Airstrip turns into hideout for criminal gangs

Kakamega Airstrip. [File, Standard] Barely two years ago, Kakamega Airstrip, located in Shinyalu Constituency, bustled with activity and stood as a beacon of economic promise for the surrounding communities. With regular flights, the facility served as a critical economic hub, offering jobs, boosting trade, and providing a vital transport link for residents. However, since Skyward Express suspended its operations due to the deteriorating condition of the runway, the once-thriving airstrip has fallen into disrepair. It now functions less as a gateway to prosperity and more as a grazing field and a hideout for criminal gangs-fuelling insecurity and disillusionment in equal measure. The ongoing neglect has sparked outrage among residents. On Friday, locals staged demonstrations, protesting rising insecurity and the loss of livelihoods after their primary economic lifeline was cut off. Many accused President William Ruto of reneging on his campaign promise to upgrade the facility into a fully-fledged airport. Residents have also criticised local leaders accusing them of paying little attention to projects that positively impact the lives of residents and failing to champion the maintenance and elevation of the facility to an international airport. "I'm a boda boda operator and a resident here," said Joseph Shivaji. "I used to transport luggage, passengers, and commodities to the airstrip when it was operational. Since its closure, insecurity has soared-people are being robbed and attacked." He added: "With no economic activity, the area is dormant, insecurity has risen. Just a week ago, two people were attacked while on a motorbike. The assailants fled into the airstrip to hide." Mary Aseneka, a vegetable vendor who once sold her goods outside the airstrip, urged President Ruto to intervene and make sure the facility is back in operation. "I no longer sell vegetables because the passengers who travelled to and from Nairobi were my customers. We're struggling to make ends meet. The President must honour his promise-have the facility repaired and expanded as pledged." Other residents echoed similar frustrations. Benjamin Akwata expressed his dismay over the sight of cattle grazing where aircraft once landed. "It's shameful that our leaders claim to be championing development, yet a project meant to uplift lives is left idle. It's embarrassing to see livestock on the runway where we should be seeing passengers." On September 28, 2024, Skyward Express suspended flights in and out of Kakamega Airstrip due to the deteriorating condition of the runway, stating that the runway no longer meets safety standards. In response, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa urged the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to urgently intervene and address the infrastructural decay. He emphasised the airstrip's role in driving economic activity across the county, particularly through tourism and trade. "We cannot continue with suspended flights when residents rely on this service for both business and transport," said Barasa. "The relevant authorities must act swiftly to resolve the issues and restore operations." The suspension came less than two years after the launch of the Kakamega-Nairobi flight path, which significantly eased travel for Western Kenya residents previously reliant on Kisumu and Eldoret International Airports. Travellers paid Sh6,000 for the route, with flights departing Wilson Airport for Kakamega at 10am and returning to Nairobi at 11:05 a.m. Kakamega Airstrip had undergone Sh174.7 million worth of rehabilitation works by the Kenya Airports Authority.

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