Olooloitisho elder Godfrey Ntapayia with Maa community members in Birika on September 16, 2025, protesting against Orly Airpark over jobs, corporate social responsibility pledges and a liaison officer.

By Njoroge David 

The Maa community in Birika, Kajiado County, has given Orly Airpark seven days to meet demands for jobs, a police post and better engagement or face a shutdown of operations.

Elders and youths warned that they will dismantle the airport’s electric fence if their grievances remain unresolved.

They also want a liaison officer appointed to link the community with the airport’s management.

“Frustrating the Kenya School of Flying from expanding their runway is curtailing local investments in our neighbourhood. This hurts the many unemployed young people in the county,” said Olooloitisho elder Godfrey Ntapayia.

The Kenya School of Flying, which operates at the airstrip, says it has been blocked from extending its grass runway, which it considers ideal for pilot training.

The dispute has put the school at odds with the Orly Park Board of Management.

Board chairman Christian Strebel said the runway was upgraded to category C in line with Kenya Civil Aviation Authority requirements.

“Having a grass lawn runway presents a challenge to the operations of the airport since it is not an all-weather runway,” said Strebel.

Ntapayia accused the airpark of offering minimal benefits to locals despite operating in the county for 25 years.

He cited unfulfilled promises to build a police post, lack of corporate social responsibility projects and few employment opportunities.

Strebel said Orly Park is ready to build a police post once the community provides land. He added that a liaison officer has already been recruited.

“Orly Park exists as a company that runs an airport providing infrastructure for business investors to operate on. The investors are required to provide community social responsibility causes to Birika residents,” noted Strebel.

He noted the airport also supplies water and grazing grounds for livestock.

Isinya Deputy County Commissioner Michael Yator intervened during the standoff, promising to engage the board to address the community’s concerns.