Details: Ruto's Meeting With Aviation Bosses Ahead Of Global Event

President William Ruto on Monday, August 21 hosted a delegation from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) at State House ahead of the 8th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) forum, which it is set to host.

According to a statement he shared on his social media handles, Ruto met ICAO President, Salvatore Sciacchitano, who was accompanied by ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Chairman Brown Ondego and Director-General Emile Arao were also present for the meeting which was seen as strategic for the improvement of air travel in the Eastern Africa region.

President William Ruto with a delegation from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) consisting of its president Salvatore Sciacchitano (left) and Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar (right)  at State House on August 21, 2023. /PCS

"The economic ambitions of Africa depend on a robust aviation sector to boost trade especially as we implement the  Africa Continental Free Trade Area. 

"Kenya is currently in talks with countries across Eastern Africa to improve air travel and aviation connectivity in our region. We are proud to host the African regional office of the International Civil Aviation Organisation," stated Ruto.

The improvement of air transport across the country has been one of President Ruto's key ambitions since taking office on September 13, 2022, and since then, his government has gone about rapidly expanding airstrips to meet the growing demand for air transport in Kenya.

On May 21, 2023, the Head of State revealed plans to start daily flights to Isiolo County in the next two months.

"When people leave here for Nairobi they take five hours. I am in talks with the private sector people so that in the next two months we have flights to take you to Nairobi. It will only take 30 minutes from here to Nairobi," Ruto said.

President Ruto also announced plans to extend the Isiolo airport runway to allow planes to carry enough luggage, complaining that a lot of taxpayer money was spent on its construction only for it to sit like a monument due to the way the runway was built.

Meanwhile, KCAA will convene the Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week which will take place from August 21-25, 2023 in Nairobi.

Arao had pointed out on Wednesday, August 9 that various issues pertaining to the aviation sector will be deliberated during the five-day forum which has attracted over 300 delegates.

AFI Aviation Week will bring together delegates from various ICAO contracting States from Africa and the Indian Ocean (AFI) region affiliated to the ICAO Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) and Western and Central African (WACAF) Regional Offices.

The event is a prestigious gathering that brings together aviation professionals, industry leaders, and government officials from across the region and beyond.

It also serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and strategic discussions aimed at advancing aviation safety and fostering sustainable growth in the region.