The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has released information regarding the planned compulsory acquisition of land at Kairangu Village, Itugururu Location, for the expansion of the Itugururu Airstrip.

This disclosure followed an application for review submitted to the Commission by Ms. CKN under the Access to Information Act, 2016. She filed the application after the Managing Director (MD) of KAA failed to respond to her initial request for information.

Specifically, Ms. CKN had sought details on the budgetary allocation set aside by KAA for land acquisition to facilitate the airstrip’s expansion.

In her application, she stated:

“Following the gazettement of our land for compulsory acquisition (as per Kenya Gazette Notice No. 5958 of 17th May 2024 and Gazette Notice No. 12566 of 27th September 2024), I, on behalf of the residents, wrote to KAA, KeRRA, and NLC seeking information regarding budgetary allocation, process compliance, and designs relating to the compulsory acquisition plan. To date, I have not received any response. I have also visited the said offices on several occasions without receiving any assistance. The statutory twenty-one days have since elapsed, and I am humbly seeking your intervention to give justice to the peasant farmers of Kairangu Village.”

Upon receiving her complaint, the Commission took up the matter with the MD of KAA and issued a formal notice requesting an institutional report within seven days. The Commission’s letter read in part:

“Pursuant to Section 22 (3) of the Access to Information Act, 2016, and Regulation 25 (1) of the ATI General Regulations, 2023, the Commission hereby notifies you of the application and requests your Institutional Report or any further information relevant to the request within seven days to guide an appropriate decision.”

Safety of Itugururu Airstrip 

Following this intervention, KAA released the requested information to the Commission for onward transmission to the applicant.

In its response, KAA highlighted that concerns about the safety and operational viability of the Itugururu Airstrip had been raised as early as 2021.

A surveillance report by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), dated 28th June 2021, instructed KAA to take remedial action to address safety concerns, protect the airstrip land for future development, and ensure the facility met aviation standards.

While rehabilitation and expansion plans were initiated, progress stalled due to budgetary constraints.

Assessment Results

The County Government of Tharaka Nithi later wrote to KAA on 28th August 2023, expressing its intention to partner in rehabilitating the airstrip.

A suitability assessment determined that approximately 17.16 hectares of additional land would be required—14.36 hectares for the runway, apron, and taxiway, and 2.8 hectares for road relocation.

Land Purchase

On 12th April 2024, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) approved the proposed road relocation plan, with the understanding that the County Government would provide funding for land acquisition.

Subsequently, in a communication dated 26th July 2024, KAA confirmed that the County Government had allocated Kshs. 40 million in its 2024/2025 budget for land purchases.

The Authority, working through the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, also intends to seek additional resources for construction works including fencing, the runway, apron, taxiway, and other critical facilities.

It stressed that the current size of the airstrip is inadequate to justify meaningful investment unless expansion takes place.

Following budget confirmation, the National Land Commission (NLC) initiated statutory processes for land acquisition. This involved gazettement, public sensitisation, and parcel mapping for compensation.

Several meetings with affected persons were held, and gazette notices were issued on 4th and 5th February 2025.

KAA further indicated that more public participation forums would be organised before construction begins, to ensure affected persons are fully informed and understand the value of the project.

Addressing the petition by CKN, KAA clarified that while her concerns had been duly noted, she does not appear among the official records of property owners or project-affected persons.

KAA Expansion Pledge

KAA assured the Commission that it remains committed to following due process in implementing the Itugururu Airstrip expansion.

The Authority reaffirmed its determination to deliver the project in a way that benefits Tharaka Nithi County while minimising disruptions and negative impacts on local communities.

It also reiterated its availability to provide further clarification or consultation whenever required.

Kenya Airways Boeing 787.PHOTO KAA X