Kisumu airport now ready for fresh produce flights
Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation (KLDC) chairman Edward Ouko said farmers and fishermen in the lake region would benefit immensely from the new development.
Kisumu International Airport is expected to start handling fresh produce on Saturday.
The airport was expanded to include cargo handling and cold storage facilities under a public-private partnership.
Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation (KLDC) chairman Edward Ouko said farmers and fishermen in the lake region would benefit immensely from the new development.
KLDC is working with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya and Kenya Revenue Authority to promote investment, trade and tourism.
Expanding the airport “is an essential element for the development of the region and county … and signals a pragmatic approach to cooperation, grounded in the priorities of the Kenyan government at the national and regional levels,” Mr Ouko said.
The cargo village will unite cargo airlines, freight forwarders, farmers, fish traders and airports to identify opportunities, and generate new business.
“We need a different focus, rather than the simplistic import substitution policy, with a different set of agriculture and aquaculture objectives ensuring support for export fisheries, agriculture and value-added products, lower food prices for Kisumu residents and maximise the use of local produce,” Mr Ouko said.
The cold storage facility is owned by Ms Munira Gilani, a local investor, and will eventually be established as a fully fledged cargo and cold chain logistics division.
Ms Gilani said the facility, reopened after being closed for four years, will create value addition, integrate fish production to the demands of the markets and government institutions and open up export markets.
Huge potential for fish farmers
“Our fisheries and agricultural policy need to be more suitable to a global, technology-driven world. Moving forward, we should be laser-focused and provide support to agricultural products which have export markets and value-added potential,” she said.
She added: “Our fish, chilies, mango, pineapple, peanuts, avocado, traditional green vegetables and organic beef could give us the best global competitive advantage because of our unique regional position."
Aqua Rech CEO Dave Okech said the cooling plant has a huge potential for fish farmers in the region.
“It is a good step but the county governments need to focus on boosting fish production in the region for the export market,” Mr Okech said.
The KAA has ceded land at the old Kisumu airport to pave the way for Tradewinds Aviation Services to establish a cargo transit shed for processing exports and imports.
Mr Jimmy Kibati, KAA general manager for marketing and business development, said designs for the transit shed had been presented to the agency.
“The facility will have cold room chains essential for perishable produce. We expect the contracted firm will break ground and start the works by the end of March,” he said.
The structure will include office space for various government agencies.
The shed will have two docking ports for trucks for export, import and perishable goods. It will largely be made of steel so as to reduce construction time.
