LAMU, County—Manda Airstrip in Lamu is undergoing rehabilitation ahead of the groundbreaking of the Sh2 trillion East African Oil Refinery, with the upgrades expected to improve safety and increase the facility’s capacity to handle air operations.
Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir, Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika-CBS and Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director and CEO Moses Wekesa inspected the ongoing works at the airstrip.
The rehabilitation covers the runway, passenger walkway and aircraft parking apron, with the improvements aimed at enhancing safety, operational efficiency and the facility’s ability to handle increased passenger and aircraft movements.
The works come as Lamu prepares for the refinery groundbreaking, which is expected to draw government officials, investors and other guests to the county.
Beyond the upcoming event, the upgraded airstrip is expected to strengthen Lamu’s air connectivity with other parts of the country and support increased economic activity as investment in the county grows.
The refinery project has placed Lamu at the centre of renewed attention over the region’s energy and investment prospects, with the planned development expected to have wider economic implications for the Coast and beyond.
