Renegade Air’s inaugural flight touches down in Homabay

By Peter Ochieng

Homabay in 45 minutes!

That is the time it will take to travel by air from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, to Kabunde Airstrip in Homabay County.

The inaugural Renegade Air flight touched down at the airstrip on Monday, after weeks of planning.

Homabay governor Gladys Wanga speaking at the airstrip, said the county and the region is finally opening up for investment, with taxi operators expected to be among the very first beneficiaries.

“From today, when a plane lands here, we will have out taxi people here waiting to carry people to Kisii, to Migori, to Homabay town and elsewhere. Apart from that, people will sleep in our hotels here in town waiting to take the flight in the morning,” said Wanga.

“Apart from that, tourists who would have felt that Homabay is far can now come easily. So this is really going to spur economic activities here, and we do not take it for granted,” added the first term county boss.

Besides Wanga, Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Roads and Transport was among the dignitaries in the inaugural Renegade Air flight from Nairobi to Homabay.

He challenged area residents to strategies on how to reap big from increased operations at the airstrip.

“The aviation industry is a catalyst to other sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and cargo, which contribute millions of shillings to Kenya’s economy. I want to urge residents of Homabay and surrounding counties to strategies on how to maximize on the use of Kabunde airstrip.”

He acknowledged governor Wanga’s passion and commitment to ensure that Homabay county is opened up for investment.

“And you have been very consistent on this. I know we should have been here a few months ago, and then there was a hitch but you never gave up,” added the former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator.

Renegade Air will operate three weekly flights from Nairobi to Kabunde airstrip.

That is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with tickets being sold from Sh7, 600.