Aviation experts warn of Wilson Airport encroachment amid KAA upgrade
The airport, which handles more than 120,000 aircraft movements annually, is facing mounting pressure from Nairobi’s rapid urban development, which has led to encroachment on airport land and potential flight path obstructions.
Despite growing fears over airspace safety caused by land grabbing and the unchecked rise of high-rise buildings near Wilson Airport, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is pressing forward with a major upgrade of the busy domestic aviation hub.
Aerial surveys carried out recently have revealed violations of aviation buffer zones, sparking alarm among regulators and aviation experts about the increased risk to aircraft operations.
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The airport, which handles more than 120,000 aircraft movements annually, is facing mounting pressure from Nairobi’s rapid urban development, which has led to encroachment on airport land and potential flight path obstructions.
The concerns emerged during a high-level stakeholder meeting held at Wilson Airport, where top officials from KAA, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO) gathered to discuss the way forward.
The meeting focused on plans to rehabilitate the runways and associated infrastructure, while also ensuring regulatory compliance, improved safety, and enhanced capacity to meet growing demand.
Among those present during the Wilson Airport meeting were KAA Board Chair Caleb Kositany, KCAA Board Chair Brown Ondego, KAAO Vice Chair Jimmy Kibati, senior officials from the Nairobi City County Government, KAA Acting Managing Director Mohamud Gedi, KCAA Director General Emile Arao, and KAAO Chief Executive Officer Liz Aluvanze
According to KAA, an aerial inspection of Nairobi’s skyline was conducted to determine how far surrounding developments have encroached on the airport’s safety zones and to evaluate the risks posed to air navigation.
“This inspection demonstrates our shared commitment to rehabilitating and modernising Wilson Airport to meet present and future demands. We are focused on delivering infrastructure that matches Kenya’s ambitions as a regional aviation leader,” said KAA Board Chair Caleb Kositany.
While KAA did not reveal what would happen to the private properties that have encroached on airport land, the agency confirmed that the rehabilitation project will continue in coordination with aviation regulators, Nairobi City County, and private sector players to ensure that safety standards are upheld and urban development is aligned with aviation requirements.
The planned upgrade includes full runway rehabilitation, expansion of airside operations, and improvement of critical safety infrastructure.
Officials say these efforts are vital to support Wilson Airport’s role as a key player in domestic and regional air travel.
However, the project comes amid a larger challenge facing Kenya’s aviation sector—a massive Sh260 billion funding gap needed to modernise all state-owned airports across the country. A 2024 report indicates that half of this amount—about Sh130 billion—is required for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to upgrade its capacity and maintain its position as a regional hub.
The government’s Aviation Policy for Kenya, which was approved by Cabinet in 2024, outlines plans to explore various financing options to support expansion and safety compliance across the aviation network. The document acknowledges that current airport infrastructure is not adequate to handle existing passenger and cargo traffic and calls for urgent investment.
“It is considered that the current infrastructure is not adequate to handle passenger and cargo operations at most airports. In this manner, it is estimated that KAA’s aerodrome network requires an investment of approximately $2 billion (Sh258 billion) for the mentioned period, including both expansion/compliance as well as major maintenance and replacement investments,” the policy states.
“Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the main driver of the mentioned investment plan, accounting for approximately $1 billion (Sh129 billion) to increase its current capacity and be able to accommodate the forecasted demand.”
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