The Malindi International Airport Phase II Expansion Project continues to advance in 2026 as the Kenyan government accelerates runway improvements and land acquisition to accommodate larger international aircraft. The phased airport expansion aims to strengthen tourism, increase international connectivity, and position Malindi as a key aviation gateway along Kenya’s coast while complementing broader national airport modernization initiatives.
Malindi International Airport Current status update (2026)
The project has gained momentum after several years of delays caused mainly by land acquisition and compensation issues. Government officials reaffirmed in March 2026 that the expansion remains a priority national infrastructure project.
Runway rehabilitation and resurfacing works are approximately 60% complete, according to Kenya Airports Authority engineers overseeing the project. The works are expected to conclude in 2026, after which the airport will be capable of accommodating larger aircraft, including the Boeing 787.
Land acquisition has also progressed significantly. Authorities report that compensation and acquisition processes for the additional land required to extend the runway are at advanced stages, allowing the long-delayed expansion to move closer to full implementation. The planned runway extension will increase its length from about 1.4 kilometres to approximately 3 kilometres, enabling direct international flights and boosting tourism and trade across Kilifi County and Kenya’s northern coast.
In addition, Kenya Airports Authority has issued new tenders for aviation support infrastructure, including an aviation fuel uplift facility at Malindi Airport, demonstrating continued investment beyond the runway expansion.
As Kenya upgrades regional airports, the project aligns with wider aviation investments across the country. The Malindi expansion complements the government’s strategy at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where authorities recently deferred the second JKIA runway construction while prioritizing terminal expansion and airfield modernization under a phased $1.2 billion program.
Also read: Maasai Mara International Airport Construction Advances as Works Continue Towards 2026 Completion
Setbacks to the implementation of this project
According to Kilifi County Commissioner Magu Mutindika, the major challenge facing the kickoff of this project is failure of some squatters to vacate the land earmarked for the expansion even after getting compensation.
“Some people who were compensated last year and were supposed to leave have instead chose to put up temporary structures on the land. We will no longer tolerate them, the government will forcibly evict each and every one of this people. “he emphasized.
The county commissioner was speaking when he led the Presidential Delivery Unit on a tour of government projects in Malindi accompanied by officers from the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA).
Also Read: Phase I of Suneka airstrip upgrade in Kisii County, Kenya 85% complete
Other infrastructure projects in the region
While still on the tour, Mutindika mentioned that the national government is keen on improving the economy of the region by fast-tracking ongoing infrastructural projects.
Some of this projects include the tarmacking of 116Km Malindi-Sala Gate Road in Tsavo East National Park whose completion stands at 82%. The Sabaki Bridge-Marikebuni-Marafa Road is also being tarmacked and 41% of the entire work has been done so far.
Furthermore, the construction of Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi, which has the capacity to host 5,000 learners is 53% complete and its first intake is expected to take place in September 2020.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Malindi International Airport Phase II Expansion Project
Location: Malindi, Kilifi County, Kenya
Status: Under implementation (2026)
Estimated cost: KSh5.6 billion (approximately $43 million)
Project objective: Upgrade the airport to receive direct international flights.
Major works:
- Extend runway from approximately 1.4 km to 3 km.
- Runway rehabilitation and resurfacing.
- Land acquisition and compensation.
- Expansion of aircraft operating areas.
- Future aviation fuel infrastructure.
Current progress:
- Runway works approximately 60% complete.
- Land acquisition and compensation at advanced stages.
- Additional aviation infrastructure procurement underway.
Expected completion: Initial runway works targeted during 2026, with subsequent expansion phases continuing thereafter.
Project Team
Project owner: Government of Kenya
Implementing agency: Kenya Airports Authority (KAA)
Supervising ministry: Ministry of Roads and Transport
State Department: State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development
Land acquisition partner: National Land Commission (NLC)
Regional coordination: Office of the Coast Regional Commissioner
Resident engineering supervision: Kenya Airports Authority Engineering Department
Project engineer (reported): Moses Abuok, Kenya Airports Authority
County stakeholder: Kilifi County Government
Aviation regulator: Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA)
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