Narok County is set to become a direct entry point to the globally acclaimed Masai Mara, after President William Ruto confirmed the Sh1.4 billion Narok International Airport will open its doors by March 2026.

During the first day of his visit to Narok, President Ruto said the decision to construct the airport followed persistent calls from locals who underscored tourism as the county’s primary economic driver and insisted that an airport would enhance its economic value.

President Ruto reminded residents of an earlier economic forum where he pledged to boost tourism by ensuring easier access to the Maasai Mara.

“When I came here for the economic forum, the people of Narok told us that since the county is known for tourism, they want an airport that will make travel easier,” Ruto noted.

He elaborated that the airport would not only welcome tourists from across Kenya but also open Narok to international travellers.

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“Tourists from across Kenya and the world should have an international airport here that will allow us to welcome visitors and enhance Maasai Mara’s ability to generate more resources and revenue for the people of Narok County,” the president continued.

President Ruto confirmed that construction is already underway, funded jointly by Sh700 million from the national government and an equal amount from the Narok County government.

"Today, I have come here with a contractor, and we have already paid him Sh700 million to construct that airport," Ruto said.

"Governor Ole Ntutu has also contributed an additional Ksh700 million to facilitate the project. I have told the contractor that I will be here in March next year to officially open the airport."

According to plans revealed by the Narok County government, the airport will include a modern terminal equipped with check-in counters, boarding areas, arrival halls, VIP lounges, shops, and security offices.

Additional features surrounding the airport will include a flight school, aviation-linked industries, manufacturing hubs, distribution centres, and hotels. However, details regarding the airport’s precise location and land size have not yet been released.

Narok Governor Ole Ntutu had earlier welcomed the announcement, saying the facility would eliminate the need for tourists to transit through Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

“I asked the President, for one thing, to give us an international airport. We want our tourists to fly directly from their countries to Narok without going through Nairobi,” Ntutu revealed.

The construction of Narok International Airport is expected to cement the county’s position as a vital pillar of Kenya’s tourism landscape, strengthening its role as the main gateway to the famed Maasai Mara and setting the stage for economic transformation in the region.