The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is facing increasing pressure to speed up the rehabilitation of Wilson Airport after Members of Parliament raised concerns over delays in the ongoing infrastructure upgrade and their potential impact on aviation safety.
The concerns were raised during an inspection tour of the airport by the National Assembly Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, where lawmakers met officials from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, KAA, and the Kenya Association of Air Operators.
Delays Affecting Airport Operations
According to the Ministry of Roads and Transport, rehabilitation works on Wilson Airport's Runways 14/32 and 07 are currently about 38 percent complete, slightly below the expected progress of 40 percent. KAA attributed the delays to the late commencement of the project and unforeseen challenges, including waterlogged sections beneath the runway that required additional engineering work.
Committee Chairperson George Kariuki urged KAA to accelerate the works, saying Wilson Airport should be capable of supporting operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) whenever necessary and continue serving as a key hub for domestic aviation.
Safety Concerns Intensify
The scrutiny comes after several recent aviation incidents at Wilson Airport heightened public concern over safety standards.
On May 22, operations at the airport were temporarily disrupted after an aircraft crash-landed near the facility. Earlier, on March 20, an aircraft carrying 39 people, including Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, veered off the runway while landing. All passengers and crew escaped without serious injuries, but the incident renewed calls for improvements to the airport's infrastructure and emergency response systems.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has previously acknowledged operational shortcomings linked to the March incident, while parliamentary committees have continued to investigate broader safety and infrastructure challenges at the airport.
Financial impact on operators
Lawmakers also noted that prolonged construction timelines are affecting airlines and aircraft operators who rely on Wilson Airport for commercial and logistical operations. They warned that continued delays could lead to financial losses and disrupt services at one of East Africa's busiest domestic airports.
Committee Seeks Accountability
During the inspection, MPs received a report detailing aviation incidents recorded at Wilson Airport over the past two years, including investigations into their causes and measures taken to prevent future occurrences.
The committee said it will continue monitoring the rehabilitation project to ensure the airport meets the required safety and operational standards while minimizing disruptions to airlines and passengers.
