More than ten years after construction began, Isiolo International Airport remains unfinished, with Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir telling the Senate that an additional Sh4.8 billion is required to bring the project to completion.
While appearing before lawmakers, CS Chirchir admitted that the airport, as it stands, cannot fully support passenger or cargo operations. This revelation came in response to concerns raised by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, who questioned the government’s delay in finalising a project of such regional significance.
“As it is now, the airport has become a white elephant. The government must commit to a clear timeline. You cannot claim that Sh4.8 billion is unaffordable when lives and livelihoods depend on it,” Senator Dullo stated.
Since its initiation in 2011, the airport has already absorbed Sh2.97 billion in public funds. Despite this investment, the facility remains underutilised and falls short of its intended purpose within the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.
CS Chirchir acknowledged the strategic importance of the airport, particularly in boosting trade and connectivity across Kenya’s northern corridor, which links to Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. However, he cited major operational setbacks, including runway damage caused by flooding.
He told the Senate that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is awaiting financial allocation from the National Treasury to address the issues. Plans include full rehabilitation of the 1.4-kilometre runway, which will require Sh1.5 billion, and a further Sh1.5 billion for its extension to 3.5 kilometres.
Other planned upgrades include:
- Sh500 million for land acquisition to accommodate VIP lounges, road expansion, and aircraft hangars
- Sh300 million for improving the drainage system
The airport was officially commissioned in 2017 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. It was designed to handle over 100,000 passengers annually and was envisioned as a key node in the LAPSSET Corridor to spur development in Kenya’s northern counties.
Located on 800 acres straddling Isiolo and Meru counties, the facility includes a modern terminal building, a seven-aircraft apron, cargo sheds with a 10-tonne handling capacity, and extensive parking space for up to 200 vehicles.
Despite these features, its full potential remains untapped due to delays in funding and completion of key infrastructure. The government now faces growing pressure to prioritise the airport’s completion, with local leaders insisting that the project must not be allowed to stagnate any longer.