Eldoret Airport Runway Expansion to Boost Regional Trade and Exports

 

By Vivian Anyango

The Kenyan government has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand and modernize Eldoret International Airport, positioning it as a key driver of regional trade and agricultural exports. Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the airport’s runway — currently measuring approximately 3.5 kilometers — will be extended to between 4.0 and 4.1 kilometers to accommodate fully loaded wide-body freighters, including Boeing 747 cargo aircraft.

The expansion, CS Murkomen said, will significantly enhance Eldoret’s capacity as Kenya’s second busiest cargo airport, and a critical link for exporters in the North Rift and Western regions.

“The extended runway will enable direct international cargo flights from Eldoret, allowing producers and exporters to access global markets faster and more efficiently,” Murkomen stated.

Alongside the runway extension, the project includes the acquisition of between 38 and 50 acres of adjacent land to allow for the development of essential aviation safety infrastructure and logistical facilities. Planned upgrades feature a dedicated jet fuel station, expanded cold storage and warehousing, upgraded runway shoulders and taxiways, enhanced lighting systems, and apron expansion to facilitate smoother aircraft handling.

But beyond the physical infrastructure, the expansion reflects a broader economic strategy. A coalition of North Rift counties — including Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, and Trans Nzoia — has thrown its weight behind transforming Eldoret into a major cargo hub for agricultural exports.

“This is not just about building longer runways. It’s about unlocking the agricultural potential of the Rift Valley and reducing the bottlenecks that come with road transport to Nairobi,” said Dr. Irene Chesang, an agribusiness expert based in Eldoret. “It cuts transit time, reduces spoilage of perishables, and puts our farmers in direct contact with markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.”

Key export commodities expected to benefit include flowers, avocados, mangoes, vegetables, and other high-value perishables. By cutting reliance on Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the project aims to create a more cost-effective and competitive logistics chain for the region’s producers.

However, challenges remain. Land acquisition, especially concerning former Aerotech property, must be resolved before construction can proceed fully. Funding mobilization is also underway, with the government exploring both public and private partnerships to support the multi-billion shilling initiative.

If all goes according to plan, the runway and associated facility upgrades are expected to be completed within two to three years. Once operational, the upgraded Eldoret International Airport is projected to transform the region into a vital trade corridor, stimulate agribusiness growth, and accelerate Kenya’s export-led economic agenda.

“This project will change the face of Uasin Gishu and the entire North Rift,” said Governor Jonathan Bii. “We are moving from being just a breadbasket to becoming a global food exporter.”

As the groundwork begins, the people of Eldoret — and indeed much of western Kenya — are watching closely, hopeful that the skies above their fields may soon carry the fruits of their labor to the world.