The National government has embarked on a plan to build an airstrip in every county to boost local air transport, Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has said.
Nyakera observed that the initial plan is to install portable lights in already existing airstrips to enable 24-hour operations.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony of eight pilots who were sponsored by Mathioya Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the PS said the government is committed to provide cheap and efficient air transport to all Kenyans by establishing new airstrips and rehabilitating already existing ones in counties.
He explained that by more investment in aviation industry, more employment opportunities are being created challenging youth to pursue aviation related courses to fill the job vacancies.
“Through the high investment by the government in the aviation industry, many job opportunities are coming up and by studying any course in aviation industry will enable our young people to secure jobs,” added Nyakera.
He noted that the government will use Sh. 3 billion to expand three terminals in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) within a period of eight months adding that another Sh. 9 billion will also be used to rehabilitate and reservice Moi International Airport in Mombasa to boost international flights.