Kenya to Build New Air Traffic Control Tower

Kenya is set to modernise air traffic control in the north of the country with the construction of a new control tower.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has commissioned a new control tower with a modern air traffic control system at Lokichogio Airport at a cost of KES114m (£1.2m).

Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere says the tower will improve accessibility into Southern Sudan, and will also improve the safety of Kenya's airspace, local media reports.

"This airport has greatly contributed to the success of the relief food operations in Southern Sudan, provision of food in refugee camps, both inside and outside Sudan and evacuation of victims of war," Mwakwere says.

"As the situation in Southern Sudan continues to improve and traffic at the airport declines, there is need to ensure that strategies are put in place to ensure sustainability of the airport by replacing relief efforts with commercial cargo, tourists and passenger traffic."

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh