Government to revive Itembe airstrip

Bomet,

Monday, September 11, 2023,

KNA by Lamech Willy. A.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has blamed the delay in expanding and renovating the Itembe airstrip in Bomet County to limited space.

Speaking while presiding over a fundraiser in aid of the Construction of Africa Gospel Bomet region offices at Aisaik School grounds, Murkomen advised the county government to buy other land.

“We are ready as the National Government to set aside funds for the airstrip, but previous efforts have been held back by limited land,” he said.

The CS asked the County leadership to move with speed and buy land for the much needed expansion project.

Murkomen was reacting to a request by local leaders for the national government to intervene in reviving the construction of the airstrip.

Itembe airstrip has been turned into a grazing field after its runway became dilapidated.

Tenwek Mission Hospital, which had in the past used the airstrip to airlift patients has been forced to use one in the neighboring Narok County.

Bomet Central MP Richard Kilel said it was time the government prioritized revival of their airstrip saying it would open up the county for tourists and other businesses.

Kilel said for Bomet being very close to the Maasai Mara game reserve, the airstrip would serve as an alternative landing site for tourists seeking to tour the world-famous game reserve.

 “We need to tap into the tourism sector and the only way would be to revive the airstrip. Previously we had many tourists making stopovers in Bomet before proceeding to Mara for a game drive,” he said.

Courtesy; KNA