The government has announced an extensive four-day tour of the Nyanza region by William Ruto beginning Friday, with several development projects lined up for launch, inspection and commissioning across four counties.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa said the tour will start in Kisumu on Friday, where the President will meet regional leaders before presiding over the groundbreaking of the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Busia.
Speaking during a press briefing, Mworoa said the project will be launched on Saturday at Kibos in Kisumu East and is expected to transform transport and trade in the region.
“The SGR currently runs up to Naivasha, and the next phase will extend it to Busia. This project is a game-changer for the region because movement between Nairobi and Kisumu has been very challenging, especially during holidays when many travellers use the road,” she said.
Mworoa noted that congestion along the Nairobi–Kisumu highway has previously forced some travellers to spend nights on the road, adding that the railway extension is expected to ease transport challenges and improve connectivity.
According to the Regional Commissioner, the contractor has already set up operations in Kibos, and preliminary work has begun ahead of the official launch.
Beyond the railway project, the President will also tour and commission several development projects across Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori.
On Saturday after the SGR launch, the President will lay the foundation stone for the Yala Affordable Housing Project in Ugunja and break ground for the construction of the Usenge pier being implemented by the Kenya Ports Authority.
He will also commission the Rusinga Island Ring Road in Homa Bay, a project that Mworoa said is now complete after being launched earlier by the President.
“The Rusinga Ring Road is one of the key infrastructure projects in the region and will greatly improve movement and access for residents and businesses,” she said.
On Sunday, the President will attend an interdenominational church service in Kasipul constituency before inspecting several ongoing projects, including the Adiedo–Karabok road and the Chemelil–Muhoroni road, which serve the sugar belt.
Mworoa said the road is critical for farmers in the region as it facilitates the transportation of sugarcane and other farm produce to markets.
The tour will continue on Monday in Migori, where the President will inspect construction works at Kegonga Level Four Hospital before laying the foundation stone for the Mabera Modern Market.
He will also commission the Mabera Affordable Housing Project and the Sondu–Homa Bay–Awendo electricity transmission line.
Other projects scheduled for commissioning include the Kabondo Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market and the Pinowatch Level Three Hospital, whose construction had earlier been launched by the President.
On Tuesday, the President is expected in Usenge in Siaya County to break ground for a pier project before commissioning the Bar Ober ESP Market and laying the foundation stone for the Siaya Affordable Housing Project.
Mworoa said the projects are aligned with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which focuses on improving infrastructure, housing, agriculture and economic empowerment.
“Across the region, every county now has several modern markets under construction or already completed. These projects are transforming the local economy and providing opportunities for traders and farmers,” she said.
She also assured residents that roads will not be permanently closed during the tour, except briefly when the presidential motorcade is passing.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!