Construction of Lanet Airstrip set to begin
Col M.R Ndirangu of Kenya Air Force (left) takes Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui (right) through features of Lanet Airstrip in 2017 which will soon be upgraded to an airport.
What you need to know:
- Government officials and key stakeholders to hold final site meeting ahead of project commencement.
- After the site meeting the contractor will undertake preliminary works in readiness for ground breaking.
The proposed construction of Lanet Airstrip phase one project will commence after the government closed the bids and gave a go ahead of the commencement of the multi-billion project.
Subsequently, the national and county government, Ministry of Defence and Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) officials will on Friday hold the final site meeting ahead of the commencement of the work.
"The project has been and contracted to Ms Ongata Works Limited vide agreement dated October 19. The Engineer has issued the order to commence vide letter dated November 16," said the acting KAA Managing Director Alex Gitari
At the same time, Mr Gitari said after the site meeting, the contractor will undertake preliminary works in readiness for ground breaking.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to officiate the ground breaking ceremony before the end of the year.
The site meeting will discuss the contract, suitable location for the engineer's office and the contractor's camp, details of the operations or closure of the runaway during construction, security safety, access, and operations during the contract.
The meeting will also discuss the collaboration of various stakeholders including the Ministry of Defence, KAA, national government and the county government of Nakuru.
Top on the agenda will also be details of the groundbreaking ceremony.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the long-awaited upgrade of Lanet military airstrip into an international public airport will start in the next two months after bids for the construction work were closed this week.
The construction of Sh3 billion international airport at Lanet, Nakuru County, will be done in two phases.
First phase
Mr Kinyanjui said the first Sh400 million phase will involve rehabilitation of the runaway that will be used by a 50 seater planes.
At the same time, Mr Kinyanjui said the first phase will also involve the construction of the perimeter fence, taxiways and terminals, a military lounge, an air rescue centre and a fire fighting building.
He said the second phase will entail expanding the runway from 1.7km to 3.6km.
The governor emphasised the importance of geopolitics saying it plays a crucial role in the development of the region and beyond.
"The Lanet Airstrip project is coming to Nakuru because of good management of geopolitics by the national government. I thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for steering the country towards becoming an economic powerhouse in the region," said Mr Kinyanjui.
Lanet Airstrip, which has been serving the military, will on completion be expanded to an international public utility for use by civilian aircrafts.
The upgrade will also entail construction of military and civilian gates, setting up of a power substation and construction of a patrol road.
Once complete, the new airstrip will allow bigger cargo and passenger planes of approximately 40 to 100 tonnes.
The construction of the airport will also boost tourism and horticultural farming which are the backbone of the county.
The construction of the airstrip is coming at a time when Nakuru town is gearing up to attain city status.
