The National Land Commission (NLC), acting on behalf of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), has announced plans to acquire additional parcels of land to facilitate the expansion of Malindi International Airport. The decision comes in response to growing demands from area residents, who have long called for upgrades to accommodate the increasing number of domestic and international tourists.
Through a gazette notice, the NLC invited affected individuals and organizations to step forward for compensation, accelerating efforts to expand the airport. Citing Section 112 of the Land Act, 2012, and previous gazette notices from 2017 to 2019, the commission reaffirmed its commitment to the project.
“The National Land Commission, on behalf of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), regazettes its intention to acquire the following parcels of land for the expansion of Malindi Airport,” the notice read, referencing a recent Land Acquisition Tribunal order.
The expansion project, which has been under discussion for years, has seen the government pledge KSh 5 billion, though progress has been slow. Key components of the plan include extending the runway to 2,500 metres, constructing a 7.5-kilometre perimeter fence, and building a parking facility for up to 500 vehicles. If completed, the improvements could attract direct international flights, create employment opportunities, and boost tourism-related businesses.
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However, land acquisition disputes between affected landowners and the government have hindered the project’s progress. Calls for expansion intensified following a tragic aircraft crash at the airport that claimed three lives. The incident, involving a privately owned Cessna 172, occurred on January 10, 2025, near Kwa-Chocha, adjacent to Royal Plaza in Malindi. While the flight crew survived, a local headteacher and a child were among the fatalities.
In addition to the Malindi Airport expansion, the NLC issued a separate notice regarding the government’s intention to acquire more land for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Phase 2A, along the Nairobi-Naivasha route. The move comes as the government announced plans to extend the SGR from Naivasha to Malaba, a KSh 648 billion project funded by the Chinese government.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohammed Daghar confirmed that the railway extension, set to begin this year, will enhance connectivity between Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Rwanda. The project is expected to take four years to complete.
