Gov't Launches Construction of an International Airport at Maasai Mara

The government has begun upgrading Angama Airstrip in the Maasai Mara game reserve to an international airport. The move is aimed at directly connecting foreign tourists to the world-famous game reserve, thereby boosting the country’s tourism sector.

The upgrading of the airstrip to a fully operational international airport will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase costing Sh278 million.

Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony at the airstrip on Wednesday, Transport PS Solomon Kitungu said the first phase, which will take 12 months, entails rehabilitating the existing 1,260 meter-long runway and expansion of the width from 18 meters to 25 meters to facilitate code C aircraft operations. It will also include repainting and fencing of the airport to boost security.

In the second phase, the runway will be expanded to 2500 meters in length and the width extended to 30 meters. A VIP lounge will also be constructed.

The government will construct a new runway of 3300 meters long, 45-meter-wide and terminal points in the final phase.

On his part, Tourism PS Sabina Kwekwe said: “This development we have witnessed today will go along in promoting the brand Kenya. We wish to call upon KAA to continue with this job by opening airports in major areas where tourism is key so that they can be equally linked between themselves and other parts of Kenya.”