MALINDI, Kenya – The national government has reaffirmed its commitment to the long-awaited expansion of Malindi International Airport, a strategic infrastructure project poised to transform the tourism and trade landscape across Kilifi and Tana River counties.
During a recent inspection tour of the ongoing runway resurfacing works, officials from the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) and the Coast Regional National Government Development Implementation, Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-RICMC) provided a positive progress report, signaling a renewed momentum for the project.
The current focus is on a Sh242.8 million runway resurfacing project, which is currently 60% complete. According to the project lead, the works—which include milling, regularization of the surface, and laying the wearing course—are on track for completion by May this year.
However, the more significant transformation lies in Phase Two, which seeks to extend the runway from the existing 1.4 kilometers to 3 kilometers. This ambitious expansion is essential to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 787, enabling direct international flights to land in Malindi for the first time.
Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha confirmed that the process of acquiring the 19 acres required for the expansion is in the advanced stages. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is currently awaiting final guidance from the National Land Commission (NLC) to facilitate the compensation of affected landowners.
“For a long time, investors—especially those in the tourism sector—have been yearning for this project,” said Mrs. Onyancha. “They have our assurance that this will be delivered. The airport is a critical facility, not just for tourism, but also for supporting the Galana Kulalu Irrigation and Food Security Project and stabilizing the local economies.”
The expansion is viewed as a “game-changer” by industry experts and local leaders. By bypassing the need for domestic transfers via Mombasa or Nairobi, the upgraded airport is expected to:
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Boost Tourism: Attract direct charter flights from key international markets in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
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Facilitate Trade: Improve logistics for high-value exports from local agricultural projects.
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Create Jobs: Stimulate growth in the hospitality, transport, and service sectors.
KAA engineer Moses Abuok noted that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has already been successfully conducted. As the government navigates the final bureaucratic requirements, the mood among local stakeholders remains cautiously optimistic, reflecting a shared desire to see Malindi cement its status as a world-class gateway to the Kenyan coast.
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