An artist's impression of the proposed Narok International Airport / 

President William Ruto on Tuesday announced that the national and Narok county governments will construct Narok International Airport.

Ruto said the two levels of government will each contribute equal amounts of the funds needed to finance the project.

“The national and county governments will both give half the money. We shall make sure that Narok becomes a tourist and business hub to reduce poverty," Ruto said.

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“The national and county governments will both give half the money. We shall make sure that Narok becomes a tourist and business hub to reduce poverty." 

Ruto said the move to construct an airport in Narok will bolster tourism and business in the county, ultimately ending poverty.

“You need an airport because the Maasai Mara is an important place. You need an international airport here in Narok. Today, I'm going to launch the construction of an airport in Narok. The county and national government will share the responsibility of the construction,” Ruto said.

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The airport's estimated construction period is 15 months.

Features of the proposed airport

The airport, which is estimated to cost Sh700 million, will run 12 km from Narok CBD, 79 kilometres from Masai Mara Sekenani gate and will cover 329 acres (133 hectares).

The project will consist of the full reconstruction of the existing murram runway to a 1.5km asphalt runway, 30m wide, plus an apron and taxiways.

There will be a future extension to 1.8km following the completion of land acquisition following land acquisition of 64 acres (26 hectares).

The Narok International Airport will consist of an International Passenger Terminal Building, 4890m, with an estimated cost of the building, access roads and supporting infrastructure of Sh500 million.

This includes three boarding gates: International, Domestic, and VIP.

An artist's impression of the proposed Narok International Airport / Screengrab

The roof of the Narok International Airport is designed to accommodate 200 solar panels.

Unique to this terminal, the airport will have a landside piazza; Maasai community culture has been incorporated in the design.

The airport is set for tourism promotion due to enhanced access and connectivity to the Maasai Mara.

The proposed Narok International airport will reduce aircraft landings and take-offs in the Maasai Mara, thereby enhancing conservation measures.

It is also for major job creation, foreign exchange earnings and increased investment in other sectors of the economy.

An artist's impression of the proposed Narok International Airport / Screengrab