Low-cost airline Skyward Express has suspended flights to and from Kakamega due to the deteriorating situation of the getaway at the local airstrip.
The suspension comes almost two years after the airline opened the new route to provide a flying base for travelers from the greater western region.
In a notice to its customers on X (formerly Twitter), Skyward Express managers indicated on Saturday that they would temporarily suspend flights in the interest of safety.
“This decision is due to the deteriorating condition of the runway at Kakamega airstrip, which no longer meets our safety standards. The safety of our passengers and crew is of paramount importance,” the notice dated September 28 said.
The airline said its customer service team will contact passengers regarding reservations on the affected flights to assist with alternative arrangements.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and hope that the runway issues will be resolved quickly. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon.”
Travelers from western Kenya have been using the Nairobi-Kakamega flight route at a cost of Sh6,000 since the route was launched in December 2022.
Skyward operates daily flights on the route from its hub at Wilson Airport.
Besides Kakamega, Skyward serves Kitale, Mombasa, Lamu, Eldoret, Diani, Lodwar, and Malindi.
The low-cost airline was put on the spot in October 2023 when Parliament opened an investigation into its operations after an MP filed a petition alleging the airline’s safety standards posed a risk to passengers.
Loima MP Brutus Akoja has asked the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee to investigate the airline.
“I, the undersigned, on behalf of concerned citizens of the Republic of Kenya, draw the attention of the House of Representatives that in the recent past, the airline has witnessed incidents that have called into question the airline’s commitment to maintaining minimum aviation safety standards,” Mr. Akoja said in the petition.
“These mishaps include refusal to deploy tires when some Skyward Express aircraft are about to land, unknown noises from aircraft during mid-flight, and smoke coming from the wings.”
He said the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority’s handling of the matter had not been fruitful. He asked the committee to ensure that mandatory and regular maintenance of aircraft is approved by KCAA.
The Kakamega airstrip has been the focus of a compensation dispute between the Kakamega County government and the national government since President William Ruto announced his expansion plans to upgrade it to airport status.
Although the national government promised to compensate the affected locals, Kakamega Governor Fernandez Barasa and Senator Boni Khalwale read different texts, derailing the expected compensation.
While Dr. Khalwale claimed that he was working to create awareness and sensitize residents and land owners around the airstrip about the planned expansion, Mr. Barasa claimed that the legislator rushed to buy land adjacent to the airstrip to benefit from the compensation.
The senator has since denied the allegation, blaming it on politics and vowing to ensure local residents get what they deserve.
Recently, Kakamega leaders blamed the collapse of the local airstrip on the proposed upgrade of the Matolo airstrip in Bungoma District to an international airport to open up the Western Region circuit.
Earlier, Dr Khalwale claimed that the modernization of the airstrip in Webuye was aimed at “killing” the existing airstrip in Kakamega.
Dr Khalwale claimed that Kakamega, the former headquarters of Western Province, had been bypassed by Bungoma under the influence of National Assembly Speaker Musa Wetangula.