Kisumu: The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is set to commission a new state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at the Kisumu International Airport, marking a major leap in aviation infrastructure and safety standards within the western region. Now at 99 per cent physical completion, the eight-storey tower stands as a landmark of modernisation and technological advancement.
According to Kenya News Agency, the tower is fully fitted with advanced ICT surveillance and communication systems designed to meet global aviation standards, promising enhanced operational efficiency and safer air navigation over Kisumu’s increasingly busy airspace. KCAA Board Chair, Brown Ondego, and the Director of Air Navigation Services, Anne Gitau, led a high-level delegation comprising the KCAA leadership, project team, and key stakeholders on the final inspection visit. The visit included a detailed review and consultative session ahead of the official relocation and commissioning of air traffic operations to the new facility.
Ondego described the development as a milestone in Kenya’s journey to modernize aviation infrastructure, noting that Kisumu’s strategic importance as a regional hub demanded a facility that meets international safety and efficiency standards. ‘This tower reflects our commitment to ensuring that Kenya’s aviation infrastructure remains globally competitive and ready to support future growth,’ he said.
The project, which has been under construction for the past 20 months, was undertaken by Polish Contractors Co. Ltd., a local firm that has since lauded KCAA and the government for the opportunity to deliver a project of such magnitude. Speaking during the final inspection, Polycarp Mburo, the firm’s managing director, said the successful completion of the tower marks a defining moment for local contractors in Kenya’s infrastructure space. ‘Beyond business, this project holds deep sentimental and intrinsic value to our company,’ Mr. Mburo said. ‘The infrastructure and technology at play guarantee a safer airspace with international ratings. It is also proof that local contractors, given a chance, can deliver – and indeed, Polish has come of age.’
He added that the company has now carved a niche in the aviation infrastructure sector and is ready to take up similar complex projects in the future. The new ATC tower will replace the old control structure, enhancing visibility, communication reliability, and coordination of aircraft movements at Kisumu International Airport – a key gateway for both domestic and regional air traffic. The facility’s commissioning, expected in two weeks, will mark a historic milestone not only for the authority but also for the region’s broader economic and transport development.