Landmark Data Collection Begins for Proposed Busia Airport, Paving the Way for Economic Transformation
In a significant stride toward regional development, a high-level technical team has commenced a critical 10-day data collection exercise at Nasewa, marking the first concrete step toward the realization of a proposed airport in Busia County.
The joint delegation, comprising experts from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), was officially received by the County Director of Survey, Elizabeth Okumu, who represented the County Government. The team’s mission is to gather essential environmental and meteorological data—including wind direction, temperature patterns, and other atmospheric parameters—vital for feasibility studies, master planning, and future safety certifications for the aviation facility.
“The data we collect here is the foundational bedrock for this project,” explained one official on site. “It will determine everything from runway orientation to building design, ensuring the airport is safe, efficient, and sustainable.”
The proposed Busia Airport is envisioned as a catalyst for profound regional change. Upon completion, it is projected to dramatically improve connectivity, not only within Kenya but potentially across East Africa. The county government and stakeholders anticipate a major boost to tourism, a surge in local business activity, the creation of numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities, and a broad stimulation of economic growth throughout the region.
The exercise has drawn participation from senior figures in Kenya’s aviation and meteorological sectors. The delegation includes Japheth Migiro, Meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Service in charge of Jomo Kenyatta Airport; Reginald Maonga from the KMD Planning Unit; Richard Gitari, Project Engineer at KMD; and Alex Wako, Architectural Assistant Coordinator at KAA.
They are joined by Charles Otieno Mugah, Deputy Director of Aeronautical Meteorological Services, and Benjamin Bahati from the County Meteorological Department, underscoring the project’s national importance paired with local oversight.
While final approval from the authorities remains contingent on the outcome of these and subsequent studies, the launch of on-ground data collection has ignited optimism across Busia. For residents and business owners, the activity at Nasewa is more than a technical exercise—it is a tangible sign that long-held aspirations for enhanced infrastructure and economic opportunity are now moving from blueprint toward reality.
