President William Ruto has announced that Narok International Airport is expected to officially open in 2027 after the government completes runway construction and puts up a modern terminal building.
Ruto revealed that work on tarmacking the airport’s runway would commence on Monday, November 16, 2026, as the government moves to complete the remaining infrastructure before the facility’s official launch next year.
Addressing residents during the Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival in Narok on Saturday, November 14, 2026, the President said the airport would enable international tourists to fly directly into the county, boosting visitor numbers and generating more revenue for the Maasai Mara.
“We have agreed with your governor to construct a terminal building so that next year I can come here and officially open the airport for tourists who are coming from abroad to come directly here with their dollars,” Ruto stated.
The Head of State noted that the airport’s construction was driven by demands from Narok residents, who had called for better air transport connections to strengthen the tourism industry and simplify access to the Maasai Mara for foreign visitors.
“You people of Narok told me that this county is a tourist county and you requested me to facilitate the construction of a new airport for tourists arriving in Narok,” he said.
Ruto further disclosed that the government had already completed the airport in Kilgoris, where aircraft have started landing, providing tourists with a shorter and more convenient route to the Maasai Mara.
He also reported that the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) had reached an advanced stage, with the government working to improve Kenya’s capacity to accommodate more international travellers.
The latest announcement comes months after the Transport Ministry and Narok County Government signed an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement in May 2026 to facilitate the upgrading and modernisation of Narok Airport.
The agreement was signed under the supervision of Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, establishing a framework for cooperation between the national and county governments on construction, airport improvements and future maintenance.
The planned upgrades will feature a 1.5-kilometre runway, two taxiways, a passenger terminal, supporting amenities and perimeter fencing, alongside other essential aviation infrastructure.
During the agreement’s signing ceremony, Chirchir said the investment would position the facility as a modern aviation entry point while opening up greater tourism opportunities in one of Kenya’s most celebrated destinations.
“This partnership is about transforming the Narok Airport into a modern, safe, and efficient gateway that unlocks the full potential of tourism in one of Kenya’s most iconic destinations,” he stated.
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