The future of aviation at Orly Airpark in Olooloitikosh, Kajiado County, is under serious threat due to repeated attempts by Ririani Gachagua to take control of the facility.
Community elders have been pressured to approve his takeover, but this is already the third time he has tried to bypass proper rules and procedures.
In previous attempts, he cited claims of racism and allegedly mobilized youth to push his agenda. Many experts warn that such actions put the future of the airport and the wider aviation sector in Kajiado at risk.
Orly Airpark was originally designed as a private retirement and recreational airpark, but the growing needs of the county and the country have long since changed its purpose. Today, it stands as a strategic site for aviation training and innovation, offering space for flying schools, air charters, engineering programs, and other industry activities.
Its potential cannot be understated, as it forms the backbone of the Kajiado Skies concept, which seeks to make the county a hub for aviation excellence.
The community understands this vision and recognizes that preserving the integrity of Orly Airpark is critical for the county’s development.
Ririani Gachagua’s repeated attempts to assert control threaten not only the orderly development of Orly Airpark but also the broader goals of Kajiado Skies. Aviation experts and veteran pilots are calling on government authorities to intervene and ensure that proper procedures are followed.
Allowing him to push through this takeover could undermine years of planning and investment, endanger training programs, and stall the growth of a sector vital to Kenya’s mobility and transport industry.
Ririani Gachagua Mastermind behind the Airpark takeover. Photo Courtesy/Nation Africa.
The concept of Orly Airpark as a centre of excellence is already proving its value. It offers one of the best spaces for aviation growth in the region, combining training, research, and innovation with opportunities for collaboration between private institutions, government bodies, and the local community.
Restricting or compromising this vision risks slowing Kenya’s progress in aviation at a time when the sector is critical for national development.
This situation calls for urgent attention. Orly Airpark represents not just land or buildings but the future of aviation in Kajiado and the country at large. Ensuring that its development continues according to proper rules and planning is essential. Allowing anyone, no matter their connections, to override procedures threatens a sector that holds enormous promise for flying schools, air charters, engineering, and aviation innovation.
The county and national authorities must act decisively to protect this asset, preserve the community’s interests, and secure a thriving future for Kenya’s aviation industry.
