Plan underway to reopen Wilson runway

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has announced plans to reopen a runway that has been under rehabilitation at Wilson Airport. The announcement was made days after the Senate Committee on Roads, Transport and Infrastructure summoned the contractor over delayed works. 

On Friday, the Committee had a sit-down with Principal Secretary for State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresiah Mbaika,  the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO), to discuss challenges associated with operating at the busiest airport in the region.  

During the meeting, KAA Managing Director and Chief Executive  Moses Wekesa revealed that runway 07/25 will be operational from Tuesday next week.  

"The works on that runway are complete. We are currently undertaking markings. We are issuing instructions to KCAA for the runway to be reopened by next week," he told the Committee. 

However, KCAA Director General Nicholas Bodo who was part of the meeting, confirmed to the Committee chaired by Mohamed Said Chute (Marsabit County), that they were yet to get communication on the planned reopening.  

"They are still undertaking marking. They are yet to write to us because we have to lift the NOTAM," he said.  

A NOTAM(a notice to air missions) is a declaration issued to close a runway. For the runway to be in use once again, KCAA has to lift this declaration. However, this needs to be done after inspection. 

Members of the Committee were shocked that while KAA plans to reopen the runway, KCAA was not aware of such developments.  

More so, they raised concern over the long period it took to complete the works, which were to take 80 days, as it took 150 days, and still it's yet to be operational. 

The Committee also questioned why the contractor had only been paid 10 per cent of the works, yet he had done more.  

Senator Chute insinuated this could be one of the reasons the works have been delayed longer than planned.  

"You (KAA) are the one who is delaying the works. What is the problem? Is it money?" he posed.  

But KAA CEO Wekesa responded that the authority has no pending bills with the contractor. He said it is the contractor who submits certificate of completed works for payments.  

He explained to the Committee that the reason behind the delayed completion is due to challenges with sourcing of raw materials such as bitumen that was beyond the contractor's control and a scope of work that went beyond what was planned.  

He also revealed substandard work done, which mostly happened at night, that forced the authority to direct the contractor to redo the work. 

"The amount of work we have done is beyond the initial scope of work," he said, citing the drainage works associated with the mushrooming of buildings in Langata area. "We do not have a certificate of completed works that we have not paid."  

Kitui senator Enoch Wambua Kitui County, while cautioning KCAA not to reopen the runway just as a formality, said the rehabilitation works at the airport are being treated casually.  

"This also affects our rating globally. If we continue doing things casually then Wilson Airport will lose that prestigious position it holds," he said. "Writing to reopen the runway is not just a formality issue. You have to go to the ground to inspect and do a report before deciding to give a nod or not." 

KAA management was at pains to explain why they still prefer to continue working with the contractor despite claims of substandard work.  

Kajiado senator Peris Tobiko said no matter how impressive the authority seeks to show of works done at the airport, the public is still not comfortable. 

"We will need to be sure the contractor is up to task," she said.  

"This is not just brick and mortar. These are people's lives. How do you say you will continue with the contractor?" posed nominated Senator Crystal Asige.  

PS Mbaika said as part of the expected works at Wilson Airport, the government through KAA has secured funding for a new terminal.  

"We are waiting for the final report from the consultant on the Wilson Airport master plan," she said.