Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresiah Mbaika. [File, Standard]
The Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresiah Mbaika, has been taken to task by Parliament over the delayed compensation of land owners for the expansion of Wajir Airport.
Mbaika, who appeared before the National Assembly Lands Committee chaired by North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, had a difficult time explaining why it had taken the government more than 10 years to address the critical matter.
Wajir County MP Fatuma Jehow said that the residents of Wajir wanted the matter sorted out as soon as possible so that the airport, which is a key security installation in the country, was expanded and that she was privy to meetings held in 2014 and 2024 over the matter.
“I am very disappointed by the answers the Principal Secretary is giving over why there is a delay of compensation of land owners around Wajir Airport so that it can be expanded; our people need to know whether there is really a plan to expand it or not,” said Jehow.
The Wajir County MP said the area residents had requested President William Ruto for the construction of a civilian terminal so that they could be separated from the military, which has bases in the area, which has led to intense security measures they were uncomfortable with.
Mbaika told the MPs that the government was not interested in expanding the Wajir Airport into privately owned land, stating the airport expansion project was estimated to cost Sh746 million and that currently they did not require more land for the purpose, a fact disputed by Jehow.
The Wajir County MP stated that over the years there have been demonstrations by residents over land compulsory accusations claims and that the PS was misleading the committee over the matter, telling her that if she did not have ready answers for the matter, she should state so.