President William Ruto during the launch of the second phase of the Kanyakwar Affordable housing project in Kisumu. Faith Matete President William Ruto during the launch of the second phase of the Kanyakwar Affordable housing project in Kisumu. Faith Matete
Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday announced a raft of multi-billion shilling development projects for Kisumu County, saying the investments underscore his administration’s pledge to ensure no region is left behind in the country’s development drive.
Speaking in Kondele, Ruto said projects worth more than 44 billion shillings are either underway or planned for the lakeside county, spanning housing, transport, healthcare, and public infrastructure.
As part of the plan, Kisumu will host this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations in December at Moi Stadium, which is currently undergoing renovation at a cost of 950 million shillings. Ruto said contractors were already on site to upgrade the facility ahead of the national event.
“By December this year, we will celebrate Jamhuri Day at the new stadium here in Kisumu. We know it was not in good condition,” he said.
Housing formed the largest share of the announced investments, with the president saying the government will build 14,000 affordable housing units in Kisumu at a cost of 34 billion shillings. The project will include residential blocks, markets and hostels, and is expected to create jobs while easing the city’s housing shortage.
An additional 10,200 hostel units are planned for students at Maseno University and the Kenya Medical Training College Teaching and Referral Centre, he said.
On transport, Ruto said the long-stalled Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension will now proceed beyond its current terminus, with construction set to begin on March 20 to link Narok to Kisumu, before extending to Malaba and into neighbouring Uganda.
“We had made a promise to the people of Kisumu on this and I will make sure that it is fulfilled,” he said, adding that he would return to launch the works.
Ruto said roads and railways were critical to Kenya’s transformation, arguing that sustained investment in infrastructure was the backbone of economic growth.
In healthcare, the president said 3 billion shillings had been allocated to upgrade the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to a Level Six facility, improving specialised care and reducing the need for patients to seek treatment in Nairobi or Eldoret.
Beyond development projects, Ruto used the address to urge Kenyans to evaluate leaders based on policies, programmes and long-term vision rather than ethnic or tribal loyalties.
“Look for policies, visions and agendas. Some come here with the goal of one term and personal gains. This is not true leadership,” he said.
Ruto reiterated that his government’s development agenda would remain inclusive, saying national projects would be rolled out across the country regardless of political or regional differences.