KCAA warns over dangerous Wilson Airport encroachment
Woes surrounding Wilson Airport continue to deepen as reported growing, unchecked encroachment now threatens its safety and operations
Illegal high-rise developments around Wilson Airport are increasingly threatening flight safety, prompting changes in aircraft operations, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has said.
KCAA Director General Emile Arao told a parliamentary committee that uncontrolled urban construction near the busy aerodrome has led to serious safety concerns, with more than 40 buildings exceeding approved height limits.
“Our audit has shown that there are some buildings that have been constructed that go beyond the approved height, and there are quite a number,” Arao said.
He noted that while some developments were initially approved within legal limits, several contractors later violated height restrictions, complicating flight operations in and out of the airport.
According to Arao, the encroachment is already influencing pilot behaviour, with many adjusting flight paths to avoid densely built-up areas. He cited increased construction in the South C area as a key concern.
“Many people like taking off on Runway 14 because of the construction in South C. There’s a lot of construction there, so many pilots and operators prefer to take off on Runway 14, which now you get airborne and you’re over the park,” he explained.
The proliferation of high-rise buildings has also cast uncertainty over planned infrastructure upgrades at the airport. Arao revealed that a proposed extension of Runway 14/32 is now under threat due to a land ownership dispute.
“As part of the project that they’re currently undertaking, they wanted to extend Runway 14/32. But unfortunately, somebody wrote to them not too long ago saying that the land at the end of Runway 14 belongs to them,” he told lawmakers.
Members of Parliament raised concerns over what they described as weak enforcement of aviation regulations, questioning how developers were allowed to exceed approved building heights near a critical aviation facility. The committee has since demanded a comprehensive list of the non-compliant structures, including plot numbers and ownership details, to facilitate enforcement action.
While the regulator maintained that crosswinds at the airport remain manageable and that pilots are adequately trained to handle varying conditions, it acknowledged that surrounding infrastructure can interfere with natural wind flow patterns, potentially affecting flight safety.
KCAA said it is now working with other government agencies to evaluate long-term solutions. These include stricter controls on developments around the airport as well as the possibility of relocating the facility altogether.
“We are also working with other agencies within the government to look at the merits and demerits of Wilson, whether it’s now time to look at relocating elsewhere, or what can be done to mitigate the challenges,” Arao said.
The concerns come just days after an incident involving a flight operated on behalf of Safarilink Aviation at Wilson Airport. The airline confirmed that Flight 090, travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi on March 20, 2026, was involved in a runway excursion shortly after landing at around 8:55pm.
The aircraft, operated by ALS Limited, was carrying 34 passengers and five crew members, all of whom were reported safe.
The latest developments have renewed scrutiny over safety and regulatory compliance at one of East Africa’s busiest domestic airports, amid growing pressure to rein in illegal construction and safeguard aviation operations.
