How Eldoret Airport is Reinventing Security to Stop Smuggling

Kenyan authorities have intensified a crackdown on smuggling at Eldoret International Airport, seizing contraband goods worth over Sh16 million in a targeted operation against tax evasion.

Eldoret Airport, previously identified as a key entry point for illicit goods, is now undergoing significant reforms aimed at enhancing security and boosting its role as a cargo hub. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), working alongside the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Border Control Committee, has launched a coordinated effort to dismantle smuggling networks that have exploited weaknesses in the airport’s systems.

The introduction of advanced cargo scanning technology marks a central part of the overhaul. According to airport manager Charles Kiong’a, both digital and physical inspection methods are now in use to ensure thorough screening of all cargo. 

“Computerised and physical scanning systems have been put in place to ensure that the airport is no longer a route for contraband goods entering the country,” he said.

Despite receiving up to 12,000 metric tonnes of imports each year, Eldoret Airport has historically struggled to utilise its full export potential. Airlines such as Astral Aviation, Fly Emirates, and Ethiopian Airlines regularly deliver goods to the facility, but outbound flights often leave without cargo due to low export volumes. 

In response, the government has launched infrastructure upgrades, including plans to extend the runway from 3.5 to 4.1 kilometres, allowing the airport to handle larger aircraft in line with international standards. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has also doubled the airport’s cold storage capacity from 150 to 300 metric tonnes, aiming to support horticultural exports from western Kenya. 

To further this goal, a demonstration farm has been established to train farmers on modern agricultural methods and compliance with export regulations. The improvements have started to impact the surrounding region. 

Property values near the airport have increased sharply, with land prices nearly doubling over the past two years. Local real estate agents link this growth to rising investor interest and increased demand for housing and casual employment. 

“The airport is creating a multiplier effect by generating casual employment and increasing demand for land and residential housing,” said Jackson Too, a nearby property owner.

Eldoret’s growing profile as an aviation centre has also contributed to the expansion of aviation-related courses at local institutions, supporting the region’s broader economic development. However, despite the ongoing reforms, the airport’s past reputation as a smuggling route remains a concern.