Govt Moves To Expand Malindi Airport Months After Deadly Plane Crash
The Kenyan government, through the National Land Commission (NLC), acting on behalf of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), announced its plan to acquire additional land for the airport’s expansion.
Marvin Chege 
Close to two months after a deadly plane crash in Malindi, Kilifi County claimed three lives, and in response to demands by area residents, Malindi International Airport is set to undergo expansion in a bid to improve its standards and handle more tourists flying directly to the coastal town.
The Kenyan government, through the National Land Commission (NLC), acting on behalf of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), announced its plan to acquire additional land for the airport’s expansion.
In a gazette notice, the NLC invited affected individuals and organizations to come forward for compensation as they fast-track efforts to expand the airport.
“In pursuance of section 112 of the Land Act, 2012, Part VIII and further to Gazette Notice Nos. 339 and 3020 of 2017, 2677 of 2018, 2997 of 2019 and in complying with Land Acquisition Tribunal Orders Case Number: TRLAA/E001/2024 dated 8th February 2024, the National Land Commission, on behalf of Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), regazettes its intention to acquire the following parcels of land for the expansion of Malindi Airport,” the notice read.
A plane and an airport worker at Malindi Airport. /KENYA AIRPORTS AUTHORITY
The airport’s expansion has been a longstanding subject of debate, with the government allocating up to Ksh 5 billion for upgrades, yet little progress has been made.
The expansion plans primarily focus on extending the runway, constructing a perimeter fence, and building a parking facility. If completed, runway 17/35 would be lengthened to 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), a 7.5-kilometer perimeter fence would be erected, and a parking facility with a capacity of 500 vehicles would be established.
The planned expansion is expected to bring several benefits, including attracting direct international flights, generating employment opportunities, and enhancing tourism-related businesses. However, progress has been hindered by disputes between landowners and the government over compensation.
The crash on January 10, 2025 and residents' attribution to the airport’s short runway underscores the need for this expansion.
At the time, a privately owned Cessna 172 aircraft, registered as 5Y-CDC, crashed near Kwa-Chocha, close to Royal Plaza in Malindi. Reports confirmed that the flight crew on board were unharmed, but tragically, at least three people lost their lives.
The bodies of the three victims were found on the roadside, not far from the plane's wreckage. Among those who perished were a local headteacher and a child.
On October 19, 2024, Malindi Airport (MYD/HKML) was named the Overall Winner at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, an accolade that underscores the airport's steadfast commitment to exceptional customer service and operational excellence.
The awards were based on a comprehensive Service Quality survey conducted across nine airports, with Malindi Airport achieving an impressive Overall Satisfaction score of 3.86 out of a possible 5.0.
This score reflected the airport's dedication to enhancing the passenger experience across several key areas, including facility quality, staff motivation, passenger processing efficiency, ambience, cleanliness, and retail offerings.
