Howdy! π Consider this for a moment…how well do you know Kenya?
This question recently confronted me, when Kenya Airports Authority invited us over for a Tour of the new Isiolo International Airport. Admittedly, I was shocked at how much more there is to learn about our beloved country! π
Did You Know?? Isiolo County is the heart of Kenya… When you look at the Map of Kenya , you’ll see that Isiolo lies smack in the middle! π
Kenyaβs 5th Fully-fledged International Airport
Initially, I assumed that we were going to see a small Airport, perhaps even an Airstrip. But as it turned out, the joke was on me! π
With a capacity of 125,000 passengers per year, Isiolo International Airport is far from an Airstrip, it is aΒ fully-fledged Airport.
Isiolo marks the 5th International Airport in Kenya; following JKIA, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret.
According to Mr. Johnny Andersen, the KAA Managing Director, this categorization is due to its potential for International Traffic, as well as Cargo and Passenger growth.
We started off at the car-park, where the wind was so strong that I was afraid it would blow us away. π The car-park can accommodate up to 200 cars.
When I ventured into the Airport Terminal building, it felt good to walk in without undergoing numerous checks. or having to take off my shoes π
Inside the terminal, youβll find: a VIP lounge as well as 9 Check-in counters for both Domestic and International flights.
They foresee that duty-free shops, banking facilities, Forex bureaus & restaurants will soon take up space at the Terminal.
My best part of the tour was possibly the Runway; without a plane in sight, it looked like a never ending spray of tarmac!
The runway is 1.4km long with the capacity to land international flights, without unnecessary stopovers in Nairobi.

Naomi Mutua & I getting a feel of the Runway
Commercial flights have not commenced as yet, however, Fly540 and SAX have started operating chartered flights from Nairobi.
Things You Probably Did Not Know About Isiolo
This trip enlightened me on a couple of things about Isiolo County:
Did You Know??
- Isiolo International Airport sits at the border of Isiolo and Meru County. The 1.4Km runway extends about 500m into Meru County.
- Travel time from Nairobi to Isiolo by road, takes about 4-5 hours. But with the airport, the time will be reduced to about 1 hour or so.
- Isiolo Int. Airport is designed to open up the Northern part of Kenya to tourism, and is a key part of the LAPSSET Corridor Program.Β The ongoing infrastructure project is aimed at connecting Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
- As part of LAPSSET, Isiolo will be home to the first of 3 Resort Cities ever established in Kenya, under Vision 2030.
- Isiolo Resort City will feature: Amusement Parks, Golf courses, high-end hotel facilities and more. The other 2 Resort Cities will be put up in Lamu and Lake Turkana region.
Opportunities That the Isiolo International Airport Will Create
Β Improved Business Prospects
Isiolo International Airport stands to propel the Cargo business, for fresh produce from the region.
Isiolo is huge on the meat export business. However, in the past theyβve mostly had to transport live cattle for slaughter in Nairobi, and other areas. With the Airport, thereβs potential to set-up their own Slaughter houses in the near future & start exporting ready meat.
Similarly, Meru is well known for producing and exporting miraa(khat) to Juba, Ethiopia, Somalia and various parts of Kenya, like Mombasa.
The Miraa Growers & Transporters’ Representative present for the tour, was ecstatic, citing that the new airport will greatly reduce transportation time, boosting business.
It will further reduce common accidents on the road, caused during transportation of miraa.
Β βThis represents much more than an airportβ¦it represents the future, jobs and opportunitiesβ¦connecting Isiolo to the world.β ~Johnny Anderson, MD, Kenya Airports Authority.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!
I found this observation quite interesting, that I simply must share! π Per International Standards, 1 airport job, creates 9 other jobs in the area, in this case Isiolo.
An airport, is a community of service contributors. Thus, while KAA is responsible for providing infrastructure and security, others like KRA, the Kenya Police, Airlines & Forex bureaus will come in to provide other essential services.
Additionally, with the expected flourishing Cargo business and Tourism, the prospects for job creation are endless!
P.S. You never know, perhaps your next job, your friend or childrenβs opportunities are in Isiolo> Share this post with a friend. π π
Connecting Northern Kenya to the World: Local & International Tourism
You know I had to save the best one for last! π For a long time, Northern Kenya has been characterized as inaccessible and remoteβ¦
The launch of Isiolo International Airport, represents amazing opportunities not only for Isiolo, but also the surrounding counties like: Samburu, Meru, and Turkana & Marsabit.

Samburu County
The region is ripe for tourism with some of the best Game Parks in Kenya. The counties boast of rich wildlife (exotic animals, bird sanctuaries) found in: Buffalo Springs, Samburu National Park, Shaba National Park & the Meru National Park.
Furthermore, this region has access to some of the best lodges and to unique attractions like Mount Ololokwe, Mount Kenya Conservancy and the Lewa Conservancy.

Mount Ololokwe
Soon, both local and international tourists will be able to fly to Isiolo, and connect to these attractions. This is excellent because you can now save time spent on the road, for exploration. #Win π
****
As I connect the dots backwards, I feel honored to have been part of this tour. Firstly, touring an Airport without the usual restrictions, was a gift in itself. π
Best of all, I look forward to Isiolo’s transformation in the next 10-20 years… I hope that someday, we can tell future generations how we witnessed the inception of Isioloβs remarkable journey. π
A huge Thank You to the kind folks at Kenya Airports Authority, for according us this amazing chance and privilege. π
Tip: Check out this post on The Sarova Shaba Game Lodge Challenge!
I appreciate you for reading my dear friends! π Be sure to leave a comment, question or any feedback you might have in the Commentsβ section below. Iβll be sure to respond. π π
<<Sending You Love & Light. Stay Inspired Always.>>
P.S. Never Miss A Post> Remember To Subscribe To #ScrapbookJourneys For More! π
Photography Credits:Β KAA Collection, Patrick Muntzinger & Marion Mithamo.
21 Comments
Ole Tunda
April 22, 2020 at 10:12 amToday’s post is a news bulletin , educative and an eye opener
Kenya and Isiolo twasonga mbele pamoja.
Good stuff scrapbook journeys
Scrapbook Journeys
April 22, 2020 at 1:56 pmThank you for reading Ole Tunda! π
Kymmiee
August 22, 2017 at 3:32 pmGreat post, Kenya is surely beautiful.
Jeen
August 2, 2017 at 12:19 amThat’s a great opportunity I think Isiolo will nolonger be the same. Great write up, am happy that this section of Kenya that is blessed with what I always call #HiddenKenyanGems is now going to be opened up with its beautiful destinations joining the other More known Tourism products
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:53 amYes Jeen, this surely is an amazing opportunity for Isiolo and our Northern Kenya. π I am truly looking forward to exploring Northern Kenya and to experience for myself what I’ve heard about in the past! *excited
Thank you for reading! π
Elly
July 28, 2017 at 3:36 pmDid you go by road or by air? word has it that the road is just as beautiful. Great now we can explore northern Kenya.
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:49 amWe went by road, and I am truly glad we did! You are absolutely right- it’s beautiful! It also gave me an appreciation for the difference that a flight would make in terms of time saved> win-win! π Thanks for reading Elly, and cheers to exploring Northern Kenya!
david
July 27, 2017 at 6:10 pmwonderful experience, I Will be going home by flight henceforth…
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:46 amThat’s great David! I am so excited for the people who call this place home, it is indeed a great development! Enjoy the flights home! π π
Hildah
July 27, 2017 at 5:57 pmGood read…. well done.
Yet to visit in my next trip to my home village
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:44 amYaay! Hildah your village just got closer, nice! I am happy for you! Many thanks for reading!
Nesh
July 27, 2017 at 5:54 pmThis is a great step to building on our Magical Kenya. Long Live kenya and the great opportunities it’s creating for tourism, trade and development.
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:43 amYou said it Nesh! π It’s indeed a step in the right direction in so many ways! One more win for Magical Kenya!
ERic
July 27, 2017 at 3:06 pmAmazing …. π Proud of the development.
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:42 amYay,I truly hope we can, as a country, focus on all the good and do our best to preserve it. Thanks for reading! π
Fina
July 27, 2017 at 2:51 pmSpectacular …what an adventure
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:40 amThank you for reading Fina! It really was π
Stom al-Madusi
July 27, 2017 at 2:04 pmNow this is NEWS to me. The airport looks so peaceful and calm βΊ
Irra
July 28, 2017 at 1:26 pmMaybe…
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:47 amπ π
Scrapbook Journeys
August 3, 2017 at 9:39 amAwesome, happy to have passed on the information!:D Thanks for reading Stom! π