Little-Known Story of Woman Who Founded Nairobi’s Wilson Airport

One of the significant development initiatives spearheaded by powerful women in the nation is Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, the second-largest airport in the city.

The airport was named for a female millionaire, Florence Kerr Wilson, and is situated south of Nairobi off Langata Road.

Nairobi West Aerodrome was once known as Wilson Airport, which takes pride in being one of East and Central Africa’s busiest airports in terms of air traffic.

It was founded in Nairobi as a result of a brief love affair between Florence, a female wealthy, and Captain Thomas Campbell Black, a young British aviator.

After her husband’s death, Florence received a large inheritance. Her late spouse was from a rich family who had invested in a London-based shipbuilding company.

It was love at first sight for them. Florence boarded a jet that Campbell was piloting as he was flying back to Kenya from the UK. She climbed aboard the Fokker Universal, which at the time was known as Miss Africa.

They developed feelings for one another over the four-day flight from London to Nairobi. Following the adventure, their friendship grew as Florence enrolled in Campbell’s flying lessons.

Florence contributed some of her inheritance and her income, which was worth Ksh7 million (50,000 Pounds Sterling) at the time, to the construction of Wilson Airport in 1929. She made the significant investment to persuade her young sweetheart to remain with her.

She also purchased a single De Havilland aircraft, appointing Campbell as the managing director and chief pilot. Campbell was in charge of all activities, including letter delivery throughout the area, particularly in the British Protectorates.

The current The Junction Mall on Ngong Road is where the airport formerly stood. She picked the spot because it was large enough to accommodate airplanes using the murram runways.

The relationship dissolved amid accusations of adultery as Campbell’s aviation business took off, prompting her to flee the country.

But Florence persisted with her business, buying 17 aircraft, most of which were used by royal families and other affluent clients. Later, she moved her aircraft business to Langata.

Campbell died in a plane accident in 1936.

Unfortunately, the millionaire’s tale had a disappointing conclusion. Her business was taken over by the government in 1939 and integrated into the Royal Air Force during World War II. Additionally chosen to join the Kenya Auxiliary Air Unit were her pilots.

By that point, Florence had established the first air ambulance, the first aviation college, and the first chartered flights in East Africa.

After the takeover, Florence was left with nothing and passed on at her Karen home in 1968.

Presently, Wilson Airport, a monument of love that she started, is a fast and convenient exit from Nairobi.

The destinations covered by planes using the airport include Maasai Mara, Mombasa, Amboseli, Lamu, Kilimanjaro, Diani, Lokichogio, and Nanyuki.

The modern hub for aviation also trains pilots and other professionals in the aviation sector.