The government plans to expand Kisumu International Airport (KIA) in a move expected to bolster the county’s economy and turn the lakeside city into a strategic trade hub.

The initiative entails extending the runway and building a world-class cargo terminal complete with cold storage systems to enable the direct export of perishable goods.

It is also part of a larger agenda to integrate the lakeside city into global commerce networks, even as residents were challenged to begin thinking of growing crops for export.

Already, fish landing stations are being constructed along Lake Victoria, complete with modern preservation infrastructure. These efforts complement the airport upgrade and create a coordinated framework to support agricultural exports.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Eliud Owalo, said setting up cold storage units will ensure products retain their freshness and longevity during transport, significantly boosting the international competitiveness of farmers and exporters in Western Kenya. “We are already setting up modern fish landing stations along Lake Victoria, complete with essential preservation infrastructure,” he noted.

As the government deliberates on the expansion of Kisumu International Airport, leaders and experts from the region are urging a broader vision tied to agricultural transformation and export readiness, with residents and regional leaders urged to shift their focus toward cultivating export-oriented crops. This call to action was championed by economists and thought leaders, including renowned public speaker Pete Ondeng and Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, who emphasised the need for the region to align agricultural production with global market demands. Ondeng, a renowned economist and public speaker underscored the airport’s potential as a regional economic driver.

Infrastructure project

He stated: “Kisumu International Airport is more than just an infrastructure project—it’s a gateway to global markets. But for it to be truly impactful, we must start growing crops with export value in mind. This is how we empower our farmers and attract international investment.”

Echoing these sentiments, Owili highlighted the broader development opportunity, saying: “The expansion of KIA will open up enormous economic possibilities for our region. But we must prepare by ensuring our agricultural sector is aligned with international standards and demand. This is a chance to reposition Kisumu as a hub of trade and productivity.”

The leaders spoke as Owalo further told the Business Hub that, “Upgrading Kisumu International Airport is a game-changer for the Lake Region. It will allow us to export fresh fish, indigenous vegetables, and other high-value crops directly to international markets, thereby unlocking new economic opportunities for our farmers and traders.”

The airport’s expansion is expected to attract investors in logistics, agro-processing, and export industries, positioning Kisumu as a regional hub. 

“The introduction of cold chain infrastructure will preserve the quality of perishable goods, giving Western Kenya’s produce a competitive edge on the global stage,’’ stated Owalo.

He said: “This project is not just about infrastructure—it’s about transforming the economic landscape of the entire region. By linking Kisumu directly to the world, we are empowering local communities, creating jobs, and enabling sustainable growth across Nyanza and beyond.” He further disclosed ongoing negotiations with the World Bank to secure financing for the Lake Victoria Ring Road—an ambitious route that will loop around the lake, linking major towns across various counties.

The design and feasibility studies for this landmark road are already complete.

“Once the airport upgrade is completed, fishermen in Western Kenya will be able to ship fish directly from Kisumu to markets abroad,’’ explained the former ICT Cabinet Secretary.

He explained that this initiative is aligned with a larger national plan to strengthen infrastructure across the Nyanza region, with the ultimate goal of unlocking its economic potential and creating a vibrant logistics ecosystem.

Speaking in Kisumu at the weekend,  Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo said the airport was part of the many infrastructural projects alongside roads, dams, affordable housing, last-mile rural electricity connection to households and water projects that the state was undertaking in Nyanza.

Freight handlers

He also disclosed that the KIA overhaul is expected to draw investment from agro-processing firms, freight handlers, and exporters, paving the way for substantial employment opportunities and economic revitalisation throughout the region.

Beyond the airport, the government is expediting long-stalled transport projects. Omolo cited the Muhoroni–Miwani–Mamboleo Road, confirming that payments have been made to three contractors, with work set to resume soon.

In addition, extending the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu remains a high-priority agenda, alongside the construction of essential water infrastructure, such as the Koru–Soin Dam.

“The dam will be instrumental in controlling floods, storing water, and supporting irrigation—especially in Nyando and neighbouring areas that are routinely impacted by seasonal floods,” said Omolo.

This expansive infrastructure blueprint, the PS said, illustrates the government’s unwavering dedication to equitable development and sustainable transformation of the Lake Basin region.