North Rift set to benefit with resumption of cargo flights at Eldoret Airport

Eight(8) counties which which come under the North Economic Bloc (NOREB) are set to benefit following the resumption of cargo flights at the Eldoret International Airport. 

This follows the signing of an agreement between governors from the region with the Kenya Association of International Cargo Consolidators and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Cargo flights which had been grounded for the past eight months due to various challenges, including inadequate jet fuel supply and a short runway.

NOREB chair Governor Stephen Sang (Nandi), Wesley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet, and Uasin Gishu's Jonathan Bii met on Saturday to finalize the agreement. 

Governor Sang underscored Kenya Kwanza's commitment to expand Eldoret Airport and ensure a steady supply of jet fuel for the cargo planes. 

"Previously, these planes had to refuel at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport--JKIA--in Nairobi. The reinstatement of cargo flights in Eldoret is poised to boost the region’s economy significantly," said Mr Sang. 

Governor Bii said the recent elevation of Eldoret Town to a city will go long way in attracting more investors, who will benefit from the renewed cargo services, thereby catalyzing economic growth across the NOREB counties.

Governor Rotich on his part said there was a need for the establishment of aggregation centers across various counties in a bid to stimulate the production of horticultural produce and fruits destined for global markets, promising substantial earnings for local farmers.

Apart from avocados, NOREB counties anticipate exporting tea, potatoes, mangoes, flowers, herbs and other horticultural products.

The deal will see 40-ton cargo flights land daily at Eldoret International Airport, presenting local farmers with an opportunity to scale up production of export-oriented goods. 

NOREB brings together Uasin Gishu, Samburu, Baringo, Turkana, Nandi, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.

The county bosses are proposing a sector approach model that will see each county championing a sector as follows: Trade, Investment and Urbanization, Health, ICT and Digital Economy, Blue Economy, Livestock, Agriculture, Peace, Security and Cohesion Climate Change, Sports and Tourism among others.

According to Mr Sang, the region is known for pastoralism, tourism, agriculture, education, health, sports, ICT and natural resources.  

The county bosses argue that the North Rift region has diverse climatic conditions that enable the region to produce a wide range of products and services in the different sectors of the economy. 

Mr Sang noted that there are certain areas within the region that experience famine and persistent drought hence there is need to undertake joint ventures to mitigate against effects of climate change and other challenges like insecurity.

"NOREB's vision of creating a Haven of Economic Prosperity under our motor of “Growing Together” will be achieved when we widen and deepen our economic, social and cultural integration and enhance trade, investment, tourism, competitiveness and economies of scale through synergy while leveraging on the strength of individual counties," said Governor Sang.

"The bloc will act as a one-stop shop for investors seeking opportunities in the region. The integration will also enable individual counties that are sometimes too small to leverage economies of scale, to jointly attract and implement large projects," he added.