William Ruto has confirmed plans for the expansion of airports in Western Kenya alongside the construction of a 300-kilometre four-lane highway from Mau Summit in Nakuru to Malaba in Busia valued at about $1 billion.
According to kenyans.co.ke, the infrastructure projects are expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve trade and logistics, and accelerate economic growth across key transport corridors in Kenya.
Speaking on Saturday, May 16, Ruto said the government is progressing well with key infrastructure projects in Western, Rift Valley and Nyanza aimed at improving transport and connectivity across the country.
He announced that the government has initiated plans to expand Matulo Airstrip in Bungoma County after directing the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to begin upgrading the facility.
The Head of State, who spoke during a meeting with Bungoma faith leaders at State House in Nairobi, said the project will involve a new terminal building and the extension of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
“At the Matulo airport, I had already asked your governor to allocate land, and I have also instructed KAA to extend the runway and construct a terminal building,” Ruto said.
The President noted that the terminal building is expected to be completed by December this year, adding that more land will be acquired to allow for further runway expansion.
“Very soon we will be landing seamlessly in Matulo airport in Bungoma,” he assured the religious leaders.
During the meeting, the President also confirmed that the airport in Kakamega is currently undergoing expansion works and is already 70 per cent complete.
He further disclosed that the government had already secured funds for a feasibility study for the Mau Summit-Malaba highway project, which will extend connectivity along the Northern Corridor.
Ruto said he expects to launch the construction of the Ksh130 billion Mau Summit-Malaba highway in April 2026, when he returns to officially open the Ksh250 billion Rironi-Mau Summit highway
“The road from Rironi to Mau Summit will be complete by April. Thousands of Kenyans from Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley have been struggling along the highway, getting stuck every time,” Ruto said.
He added that the government is constructing an eight-lane highway from Rironi to Mai Mahiu, while the section from Naivasha to Nakuru will be expanded into a six-lane road.
“Hopefully, when I come back in April to open the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, I will also launch the construction of the Mau Summit-Malaba highway,” he reiterated.
