Editor's Review

The Bomet Airstrip, officially known as Itembe Airstrip, is undergoing a major overhaul more than three decades after it fell into disuse and decay.

The government has moved to revive the Bomet Airstrip, officially known as Itembe Airstrip, more than 30 years after it fell into disuse. 

In an update on Wednesday, September 2, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the airstrip is currently undergoing a major overhaul since 1990. 

File image of the Bomet Airstrip. 

According to PS Omollo, the airstrip was originally cleared as a murram runway during the colonial period, before it was tarmacked in 1990. 

However, the airstrip was abandoned and was used as a driving-school training ground and grazing field. 

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“Originally cleared as a simple murram runway during the colonial period, it was first tarmacked in 1990 but subsequently fell into disuse and deep decay. 

“For over three decades, under successive administrations, the dormant facility was used mainly as a driving-school training ground and grazing field,” PS Omollo stated. 

File image of ongoing construction works at the Bomet Airstrip. 

The Interior PS said the airstrip is now being revived by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), with structural completion targeted for the end of 2026.

Omollo highlighted that the first phase of the project is currently underway, with earthworks, subgrade preparation and compaction progressing ahead of asphalt surfacing.

“Phase 1 works are progressing, with earthworks, subgrade preparation and compaction underway ahead of asphalt surfacing,” he said. 

File image of the Bomet Airstrip. 

PS Omollo mentioned that once completed, the revived airstrip will have a 1,000-metre by 18-metre asphalt-concrete runway, taxiway and aircraft parking apron. 

The Bomet Airstrip will also feature a windsock, drainage system and perimeter security fence, all designed to meet applicable International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Further, PS Omollo said the airstrip will improve connectivity to the region and support air ambulance operations serving the AGC Tenwek Hospital and its Cardiothoracic Centre. 

File image of the Bomet Airstrip. 

“The revived airstrip will strengthen emergency medical access, particularly for air ambulance operations serving AGC Tenwek Hospital and its Tenwek Cardiothoracic Centre, while improving connectivity for the region's tea and horticultural industries,” PS Omollo added. 

Elsewhere, Bomet Town is undergoing a major road infrastructure upgrade as the government steps up efforts to modernise urban centres. 

PS Omollo, in a statement, said the ongoing works involve upgrading several roads in the town to bitumen standards.

According to Omollo, the project, overseen by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), covers 10 kilometres of key urban roads.

File image of the Bomet Airstrip. 

"Overseen by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the project targets 10 kilometres of critical urban roads, with works including earthworks, drainage systems and pedestrian walkways," he stated.

PS Omollo ALSO said the Bomet Town works are also part of a larger road development programme being implemented across the county, targeting hundreds of kilometres of rural and urban roads.

"It forms part of a wider programme to pave more than 500 kilometres of rural and urban roads across Bomet County," he added.