Airline temporarily suspends flights to Kakamega airstrip

By Peter Ochieng

An airline has announced suspension of flights to and from the Kakamega Airstrip, over safety concerns.

Fly Skyward Express expressed safety concerns over the deteriorating condition of the airstrip’s runway.

“Skyward Express has temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from Kakamega, effective 30th September 2024, due to safety concerns over the deteriorating runway at Kakamega Airstrip. The Safety of our passengers and crew is paramount,” the airline stated in a statement on Saturday.

“Affected passengers will be contacted to arrange alternatives. For any inquiries or assistance, please contact us at our call centre 0709786000 or via email at reservations@skywardexpress.co.ke.”

The airline has operated the Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Kakamega route since 2022. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched the first commercial flight from Nairobi to Kakamega town on December 14, 2022, as he pledged government’s support to the local airline industry.

He said leaders from Western region had been asking for the flights to the town for a longtime, and that it had taken only a week for the government to actualize it.

“This new policy of continuous engagement is what is going to make things move in this country. The leaders of Western Kenya have been asking for this for many years but were not given an ear. This is happening less than a week after the President listened to them.”

“Air transport is no longer a luxury for the chosen few, it is now a necessity to ease the cost of doing business and make it easy and convenient to travel. I would like to urge the people of Western Kenya to make use of this airline so that it grows so we don’t have one daily flight but many. There are many business opportunities in Western Kenya,” added then transport Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kipchumba Murkomen.

The airline has been offering seven weekly flights between Nairobi and Kakamega, charging Sh7,000 for the 45-minute journey.