Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma has called on President William Ruto to attract private investors to expand Kabunde Airstrip’s runway, citing limited government resources as a constraint to funding the project.
In a post on X on Friday, November 29, 2024, Kaluma highlighted the risks posed by the airstrip’s current infrastructure, which he described as inadequate for modern aviation needs.
“Our economy is constrained and it is now clear the government lacks funds for the long awaited extension of the runway of Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay,” Kaluma wrote.
The MP lamented that airlines have been withdrawing operations from the airstrip, citing the dangers associated with its short runway.
This, according to Kaluma, has hindered access to a route he called central and highly lucrative, potentially stalling economic growth in Homa Bay and surrounding regions.
“Airlines are forced to withdraw operations to and from Homa Bay due to the landing and take-off risks attendant to the short runway, despite this being a very central and highly lucrative route,” Kaluma noted.
The Homa Bay Town MP proposed a bold solution – engaging the controversial Indian conglomerate Adani Group to transform Kabunde Airstrip into a fully functional airport through a public-private partnership (PPP).
“Please bring in ADANI to extend the runway and to build the Airstrip into an Airport under a public private partnership arrangement,” Kaluma urged the government.
Kabunde Airstrip
Kabunde airstrip, located just outside Homa Bay Town, has long been seen as a potential driver of economic activity in the region.
Commercial air services commenced at Kabunde airstrip on June 12, 2023, with an inaugural flight from Renegade Air.
The occasion, officiated by then Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, was marked with pomp and colour.
During the launch of commercial services, Murkomen revealed plans to expand the airstrip’s runway.
“I have instructed the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to immediately implement the plan to extend the runway at the airstrip to accommodate larger aircraft in our effort to promote local transport, even as we move to open up many parts of the country to ease connectivity,” he said at the time.
Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga followed up on Kabunde airstrip’s expansion when he paid Murkomen a courtesy call at his office in Nairobi on January 16, 2024.
Peter Kaluma is now urging Adani to carry out the expansion, as the project has yet to begin, a year after Murkomen issued the directive.
Adani deals cancellations
Adani was previously involved in infrastructure projects at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and with Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) before Ruto pulled the plug.
Ruto announced the cancellation of two major infrastructure deals involving the Indian conglomerate in a bold move against corruption.
The agreements, which encompassed the expansion of JKIA and the KETRACO powerline transmission project, were scrapped following revelations of potential integrity issues.
Speaking during a State of the Nation address on November 21, 2024, Ruto highlighted the significance of combating corruption, calling it a key priority for his administration.
“Of the many difficult assignments I have undertaken, this fight against corruption is one I now take on with resolve going forward. Let this serve as notice to all,” he said.
The president emphasized that his decision to cancel the Adani deals was guided by credible information from investigative agencies and international partners, aligning with Kenya’s constitutional principles of transparency and accountability.
“I have stated in the past, and I now repeat today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” he declared.
Ruto directed the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to act immediately, cancelling both the JKIA procurement process and the KETRACO transmission public-private partnership (PPP) deal.
