-
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed President William Ruto’s frantic efforts to secure commercial flights to Kakamega.
While launching the maiden commercial flight from Wilson Airport to Kakamega Airstrip on Wednesday, December 14, Gachagua detailed that Ruto heeded Western Kenya leaders’ pleas.
However, to achieve that he would rush against time to ensure the project succeeded.
According to Gachagua, Ruto started reaching out to various stakeholders to ensure the airstrip was operational within the shortest time possible.
Photo collage showing different planes parked at the Wilson Airport in Nairobi
File
“The President went out of his way to contact an airliner to partner with the people of Western Kenya for this service,” Gachagua revealed.
Apart from Ruto engaging with the airliner, he also ordered the Ministry of Transport to work behind the scenes to facilitate the process.
“He instructed Transport CS, Kipchumba Murkomen, to liaise with other stakeholders to fast-track the project. His main concern was making the airstrip operational,” Gachagua revealed.
Western Kenya leaders urged the President to facilitate air transport to ease business costs by reducing distance and expenses incurred in transporting passengers and cargo.
“What is happening today is the fruits of a meeting between the President and Western Kenya leaders one week ago,” he revealed.
“The leaders begged the President, noting that previous administrations had neglected the region economically,” Gachagua added.
According to Gachagua, Ruto has an ambitious plan to revamp the air transport sector in the country, with Kakamega Airstrip acting as the pilot project.
“The President will be rolling out commercial flights to every county in Kenya so that flying stops being perceived as a luxury for the rich,” the DP remarked.
President William Ruto and Western leaders during official commissioning of Kakamega Airstrip on December 8, 2022
Twitter
William Ruto
