The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board of Directors and Senior Management have continued their nationwide inspection tour of aerodromes and airstrips under rehabilitation, with a site visit to Itembe Airstrip in Bomet County, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to strengthening regional air connectivity.
Itembe Airstrip, which has a runway orientation of 03/21 and an Aerodrome Reference Code of 1B, is regarded as a strategically significant aviation facility for restoring air access across the South Rift region. The airstrip last received major rehabilitation works in 1990 but has remained dormant and unserviceable for several years, limiting aircraft operations and regional accessibility.
KAA is currently implementing a phased upgrade programme in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14 standards. Phase One of the project, which is already underway, focuses on upgrading the existing runway to a 1,000-metre by 18-metre asphalt concrete surface. The scope of works also includes the construction of taxiways and an apron, installation of a windsock, improvement of drainage systems, erection of perimeter fencing, and land acquisition to achieve full runway strip compliance. Phase One is expected to be completed within 15 months.
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Phase Two of the rehabilitation programme is designed to further enhance the airstrip’s operational capacity and safety standards. Planned works include construction of a longer and wider 1,200-metre by 23-metre runway, development of terminal and service facilities, and additional land acquisition to meet requirements for Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) and obstacle limitation surfaces. Once completed, these enhancements will significantly improve operational safety, aircraft handling capability, and long-term scalability of the facility.
Upon completion of both phases, the upgraded Itembe Airstrip is expected to play a critical role in supporting medical evacuation services, particularly for Tenwek Mission Hospital, while also facilitating general aviation operations and improving regional connectivity. The project is also anticipated to unlock new economic opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing across Bomet County and the wider South Rift region.
Through sustained investment in regional aviation infrastructure, Kenya Airports Authority continues to modernise aerodromes, strengthen Kenya’s air transport network, and deliver safe, ICAO-compliant, and future-ready aviation facilities that support national and regional development objectives.
