Kihika Delighted By Ksh72M Structure At US Airport, Plans To Build One In Nakuru

Nakuru governor, Susan Kihika, on Wednesday, May 31, implored Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen to replicate a flamingo sculpture installed at Tampa International Airport, in the United States (US), which she loved.

Kihika was reacting to a post by Twitter user Moseax, a travel and lifestyle content creator, who suggested that a similar sculpture should be put up in Nakuru, whose Lanet Airport is under rehabilitation.

She argued that the 22 feet tall sculpture made of steel, resin and fibreglass flamingo would resonate well with flamingoes found in Lakes Nakuru, Naivasha, Elementaita, Bogoria and Magadi, the former turning the city into a hugely-popular tourist attraction.

A flamingo sculpture at Tampa International Airport, US. /MOZZATO MATTHEW

Kihika asked Murkomen to come up with something similar during Lanet Airport's rehabilitation.

"I love this, Kipchumba Murkomen; let's do this! Flamingoes are synonymous with Nakuru. This is cool," she stated on her social media pages.

A user offered the governor a perspective of the marvellous structure, which is courtesy of Matthew Mazzotta, an American social practice artist who hand sculpted each part and cast them in polyester resin and fibreglass composite.

He then painted it to be realistic in touch and sight. Rings of floor bumpers around each foot and head mimic the rings of water rippling on the floor as they guide those seeing impaired around the sculpture.

The structure was installed in 2022 and cost the US government Ksh72.1 million, and serves as a popular photo opportunity for travellers. It is also used as a symbol of Tampa Bay.

"That's a 21-foot-tall sculpture by artist Matthew Mazzotta to be installed at Tampa Bay International Airport at a cost of $520,000.

"For aesthetics & heritage, it's worthwhile for Nakuru. Can we get a Chinese version at a fraction of the price?" user Kevin Ngige asked.

To which Kihika responded "Dang! That last part! (winking emoji) Let’s see what we can do. Thanks, Moseax for bringing this to our attention, we will try."

On December 2020, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) began works on upgrading the Lanet Airstrip in Nakuru County.

The 18-month-long project was viewed to increase the capacity of the existing Lanet Airbase to handle both commercial and cargo air traffic, making the airbase a dual military-civilian facility.