Fingers crossed, but by six months now the process for arriving to have the Malindi international airport operational, is respecting all times and ways.
"President Kenyatta wants the very strongly in Malindi" airport is the refrain that is heard in the upper echelons of Nairobi, confirmed by those close to the control room, and also entourage Tourism Minister Balala.
Yesterday in Malindi arrived three parliamentary head of the Committee of airport projects, to control the progress of the work of the first phase which will be completed next June. Here, as the commission has noted, we are even ahead. Parking for large aircrafts is finished, new fences and also is proceeding with the acquisition of land.
The commission has brought good news in this context, the budget that stands at around 45 million Euros, has been joined by another 15 to improve the airport's conditions, so as to achieve the maximum of international flight status.
"Will we do Malindi one of the best airports in Kenya - said the director of the airport Walter Agong - our priority is to bring Italians in Malindi, counting on the possibility of direct flights from Rome and Milan to Malindi."
The largest operation obviously concerns the eviction of people living in the area affected by lengthening the runway, which will rise from the current 1.4 km to a total of 2.5.
During the meeting it was noted that as of now you can compensate the rightful owners of the land and housing of Kwachocha and Kisumundogo quarters, but the majority do not have valid documents which prove any property. Thus, the Land Commission will have to carry out research in order to understand if there are acquisition of land in progress or these poor people will fall in the category "illegal" and will have to be relocated elsewhere without additional compensation.