President William Ruto has reaffirmed that plans to upgrade Suneka Airstrip into a fully operational airport remain on course, promising residents of Kisii and surrounding counties improved access to air travel and broader regional development.

Speaking during a development tour of Kisii County, the President said the project would 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.

“For a long time, residents of Kisii have had to travel to other towns to access air transport,” Ruto said. “But today, I want to commission an airport at Suneka here in Kisii.”

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.

“We are going to extend the runway and construct a terminal building so that by December, you will be taking your flight from here in Kisii,” he said. “You will be taking a flight to Nairobi, then connecting to Europe or any other place in the world.”

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.

Beyond aviation, the President also announced plans for sports infrastructure development in the region, including a Sh1 billion stadium in Kisii to support local football club Shabana FC.

“You know very well we are constructing a beautiful stadium in Nairobi, but here in Kisii, there is a talented football team, Shabana FC,” Ruto said. “We will start the construction of a stadium here, costing Sh1 billion, and we want it completed within one year so that Shabana gets a home ground.”