President William Ruto has announced plans to construct a major airport and an international-standard football stadium in Kisii County, projects he said will aim to unlock the region’s economic potential.
Ruto revealed the projects on Thursday, during the NYOTA capital disbursement in the Nyanza region, stating that he will personally oversee a development tour in Kisii next month to initiate the planned construction works.
“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.
He explained that while the government initially sought a new site for the airport, which is currently at Suneka, challenges in acquiring land led to the decision to renovate the existing facility.
The Head of State revealed that a runway will be adjusted, and Ksh400 million has been allocated for the project, with construction expected to begin next month.
At the same time, the existing Gusii Stadium will also undergo a major upgrade with an allocation of Ksh770 million.
However, the original site where the stadium currently sits was deemed too small for expansion, prompting the government to use the adjacent ASK showgrounds to enable the expansion in a bid to achieve the required international standards.
“We have spoken to the 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,” Ruto said.
During the renovation, football matches currently held at the stadium will be moved to alternative venues, as parts of the facility will be demolished to accommodate the expansion.
The airport and stadium projects are part of a major plan to boost Kisii’s infrastructure, attract investment, and create jobs in the region, according to the President.
Further, the airport will add to theremoval of the Kisii GK prisons from the town center, will remain, and the government intends to use the current space for affordable housing construction.
