Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has called on involving Adani Group in upgrading and maintaining the Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay County to transform it into a full-fledged airport.
In a statement on Friday, November 28, Kaluma argued that the country's economy is strained and that the government seemingly lacks the necessary funds to extend the airstrip's runway.
As a solution, he suggested that Adani Group be engaged under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, claiming that airlines have been forced to withdraw operations to and from Kabunde Airstrip due to landing and takeoff risks.
"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.
"Airlines are forced to withdraw operations to and from Homa Bay due to the landing and takeoff risks attendant to the short runway, despite this being a very central and highly lucrative route. Please bring in ADANI to extend the runway and to build the airstrip into an airport under a public-private partnership arrangement," Kaluma remarked.
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His remarks come after President William Ruto cancelled the procurement process by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) with Adani on upgrading the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Speaking during his State of the Nation address, the Head of State noted that the new orders were informed by new information regarding the integrity of the Indian company.
“I have stated in the past, and I reiterate today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action," President Ruto remarked.
Consequently, the president instructed the relevant procurement agencies to immediately seek alternative private companies interested in the JKIA project and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company's (KETRACO) project to build transmission lines, which he also cancelled.
