KISII, Kenya — President William Ruto has reaffirmed that plans to upgrade Suneka Airstrip into a fully operational airport remain on course, promising residents of Kisii and surrounding counties improved access to air travel and broader regional development.
Speaking during a development tour of Kisii County, the President said the project would eliminate the need for long-distance travel to neighbouring counties for flights.
“For a long time, residents of Kisii have had to travel to other towns to access air transport,” Ruto said. “But today, I want to commission an airport at Suneka here in Kisii.”
He added that the government will extend the runway and construct a modern terminal building, targeting completion by the end of the year.
“We are going to extend the runway and construct a terminal building so that by December, you will be taking your flight from here in Kisii,” he said. “You will be taking a flight to Nairobi, then connecting to Europe or any other place in the world.”
Currently, travellers from the region rely on facilities such as Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay County or Kisumu International Airport for domestic and international connections.
The Suneka upgrade is expected to ease pressure on these facilities and strengthen Western Kenya’s aviation network.
The planned development also aligns with broader aviation expansion efforts across the country.
Kabunde Airstrip, now operated by the Kenya Airports Authority, has recently undergone runway improvements to support commercial flights.
Similarly, the Narok Airport project, launched in May 2025, is aimed at improving access to the Maasai Mara tourism circuit.
Meanwhile, Kisumu International Airport continues to undergo major upgrades, including a new air traffic control tower and expanded cargo and passenger handling facilities expected to be completed in 2026.
Ruto said the Suneka project would have a direct economic impact on Kisii County by improving mobility for trade, tourism, and investment.
The airstrip’s modernization has been discussed for years, with earlier efforts dating back to the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
At the time, then Kisii Governor James Ongwae submitted proposals seeking its elevation to a commercial airport.
Over the years, feasibility studies and interest from aviation firms had signalled the facility’s potential viability, but full implementation stalled.
Beyond aviation, the President also announced plans for sports infrastructure development in the region, including a Sh1 billion stadium in Kisii to support local football club Shabana FC.
“You know very well we are constructing a beautiful stadium in Nairobi, but here in Kisii, there is a talented football team, Shabana FC,” Ruto said. “We will start the construction of a stadium here, costing Sh1 billion, and we want it completed within one year so that Shabana gets a home ground.”
