KISII, Kenya — President William Ruto has unveiled plans to upgrade Gusii Stadium to international standards and renovate Kisii Airport in a move aimed at boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and improving regional connectivity in Kisii County.
Speaking on Thursday during the NYOTA capital disbursement in Nyanza, President Ruto said he will personally lead a development tour in Kisii next month to officially launch both projects.
“We have spoken to the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) management and allocated funds to facilitate their relocation so that the stadium expansion can proceed smoothly. This will be an international stadium as your leaders did petition me for the expansion,” President Ruto said.
A budget of Sh770 million has been set aside for the stadium upgrade.
The government plans to use the nearby ASK showgrounds for the stadium expansion after the original grounds were deemed too small.
During renovations, football matches will be temporarily moved to alternative venues while parts of the stadium are demolished to make way for the upgrade.
On aviation, President Ruto said Kisii’s Suneka Airport will be renovated instead of relocated due to land acquisition challenges.
“I will be coming here next month for a development tour. We have agreed that we must transform Kisii. I want to assure you that I will be here to initiate development and begin the construction of an airport,” he said.
Kisii County will not be transformed by rhetoric but by development projects and programmes.We are working with progressive leaders in the region, led by Governor Simba Arati, to change the county and improve people’s lives.We have invested Sh33 Billion in the construction of
The airport renovation has been allocated Sh400 million, with construction expected to begin next month.
Once completed, the upgraded facility will complement Kisumu International Airport and the planned Narok Airport, while easing pressure on smaller airstrips like Kabunde in Homa Bay.
The upgrades come alongside plans to relocate Kisii GK prisons from the town centre, freeing up land for affordable housing.
Together, the stadium and airport projects aim to position Kisii as a regional hub for sports, commerce, and travel, providing modern facilities for both residents and visitors.
