Narok to Have First Ever International Airport by 2026

Narok county to have first ever International Airport by 2026 as Kenyan government aims to bolster tourism economy. During his visit to Narok, President William Ruto on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, broke ground on the much-anticipated Narok International Airport (NIA), saying the NIA will directly link the world to the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Going by the President’s words, tourists from abroad will not necessarily route through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) which has been the trend for decades. Instead, the strategic infrastructure investment focus on eliminating the need for international tourists to fly via JKIA before making the final leg to Narok.

“Wakati nimekuja hapa kwa mambo ya economic forum watu wa Narok walituambia ‘kwa sababu Narok ni county yenye sifa yake ni utalii nyinyi munataka kuwe na airport ambayo itahakikisha usafiri. Wale watalii watoke sehemu kote Kenya na duniani tuwe na airport hapa international ambayo itatuwezesha kukaribisha wageni, kukaribisha watalii ndo Maasai Mara yetu itupatie nafasi ya kuongeza rasilimali na mapato kwa watu wa county ya Narok,” Ruto told the gathering of local leaders, contractors, and community members.

Government of Kenya has disbursed Ksh 700 million to the contractor for building the runway and the airport’s construction is already underway, as confirmed by President Ruto who promised to be back in Narok in March 2026 to launch the airport.

“Leo mimi nimekuja hapa na contractor sawasawa. Na huyo contractor tumemlipa milioni mia saba kutengeneza hii runway ya hapa. Na contractor nimemuambia nitarudi hapa mwezi wa tatu mwaka ujao kuja kufungua hii airport ikiwa imekua tayari. Sasa wewe contractor utajua vile utajipanga,” he said.

This move by Kenyan government is good news to international tourists planning to visit the southern tourism corridor, because the new runway will reduce travel time for visitors, and ease pressure on Nairobi’s already congested air infrastructure.