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President William Ruto has confirmed that the plan to upgrade Suneka Airstrip into a fully functional airport is on course, a move expected to make air travel more accessible for residents of Kisii and nearby areas.
While touring development projects in Kisii County, Ruto said the upgrade will eliminate the need for locals to travel to other towns to catch flights, noting that the government is committed to delivering the long-awaited project.
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At present, many travellers from the region depend on facilities like Kisumu International Airport and Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay to access flights.
The President revealed that the project will involve extending the runway and building a modern terminal, with plans to have the airport operational by December this year. Once complete, residents will be able to fly directly from Kisii to Nairobi and connect to international destinations.
The upgrade is expected to stimulate economic growth in the region by improving the movement of people, goods, and services, while also strengthening the aviation network in Western Kenya.
Efforts to modernise Suneka Airstrip date back to the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, when local leaders pushed for its expansion to handle commercial flights. Previous feasibility studies had also attracted interest from aviation companies, pointing to its potential viability.
The project will complement other regional developments, including the recent upgrade of Kabunde Airstrip, expansion works at Kisumu International Airport, and the planned Narok Airport, all aimed at improving connectivity and boosting tourism and trade.
In addition, Ruto announced plans to invest in sports infrastructure in Kisii, including the construction of a new stadium worth Sh1 billion to serve local teams such as Shabana FC.
