President William Ruto has announced plans to transform Suneka Airstrip in Kisii County into a fully operational airport by mid-2027, renewing the government's commitment to a project that has faced years of construction delays and policy changes.
Speaking at St. Mary's Girls High School Grounds, Narok, on November 15, Ruto acknowledged that the airstrip had previously been considered unsuitable for expansion but said the government had developed a plan to upgrade it.
Ruto said his administration had allocated funds for the project and agreed to work with Kisii Governor Simba Arati to expand the existing facility and extend its runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
Suneka Airstrip is located in Bonchari Constituency, Kisii County.
The project aims to give residents in the Gusii region access to air transport closer to home, reducing the need to travel to Kisumu, Homa Bay, or Migori to catch flights.
The government previously considered finding alternative land because of concerns over space for expansion at Suneka airstrip.
Ruto on Suneka Project
The airstrip underwent major rehabilitation in 2015, when the government spent Ksh52 million on improvements, including a passenger lounge with a capacity of 200 people, a car park, toilets, a perimeter fence, and runway markings.
In 2020, a further Ksh300 million was allocated for expansion works intended to enable the facility to handle passenger and…
