President William Ruto has kicked off an extensive development tour of the Gusii region, unveiling a raft of projects across Kisii and Nyamira counties, including a Sh1 billion upgrade of Gusii Stadium and the rollout of markets, roads, health and education facilities.
The stadium upgrade, launched on Sunday, will transform the facility into a 14,000-seater venue with a FIFA-standard pitch, a VIP pavilion and covered terraces. The project is also expected to create hundreds of jobs for local residents in construction and related sectors.
Ruto said the projects are part of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to expand economic opportunities, improve access to services and uplift livelihoods.
“We are committed to transforming the region through programmes and projects that address key challenges, uplift lives, expand opportunities and drive sustainable development for all,” he said.
The President’s tour includes a series of groundbreakings, inspections and commissioning of projects spread across the two counties.
In Kisii County, Ruto is scheduled to lay foundation stones for the Mogonga ESP Market, Nyamache KMTC, Kisii University hostels and Keroka Technical Training Institute.
He will also inspect the ongoing construction of the Kisii Cancer Centre, launch last-mile electricity connectivity in Ibeno and break ground for the Keumbu–Ibeno road.
In neighbouring Nyamira County, the President’s itinerary includes the launch of the Ikonge ESP Market and KMTC Nyamira, inspection of a tuition block at Nyamira University, and the groundbreaking of the Nyamira last-mile water supply project and the Bobaracho–Manyasi–Tinga road. He is also set to commission the Kegogi ESP Market.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati welcomed the projects, saying they would stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities for residents.
“These projects will open up the region for investment and improve livelihoods, especially for young people and small businesses,” Arati said.
Beyond infrastructure, Ruto used the tour to highlight ongoing national programmes under the BETA framework, including agriculture, healthcare, housing and support for small businesses.
He said the fertiliser subsidy programme has significantly reduced the cost of a bag from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500, with millions of farmers benefiting through an e-voucher system. The government projects that maize production will rise significantly as a result.
Under the healthcare pillar, the President pointed to reforms under Taifa Care aimed at achieving universal health coverage, noting that millions of Kenyans have already been registered under the Social Health Authority to access affordable healthcare services.
He added that coverage for key services has been expanded, including cancer treatment, dialysis and intensive care, in a bid to ease the financial burden on households.
Ruto also highlighted progress under the Affordable Housing Programme, saying it has created thousands of jobs across the country while providing low-cost housing options for Kenyans, including informal sector workers.
In addition, he said the government continues to support micro, small and medium enterprises through initiatives such as the Hustler Fund, which has disbursed billions of shillings in loans to millions of Kenyans, as well as youth-focused programmes aimed at expanding economic opportunities at the grassroots.
The President was accompanied by senior government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries, as well as a delegation of local leaders and Members of Parliament from the region.
The development tour is expected to continue across the Gusii region as the government seeks to accelerate the implementation of projects under its economic transformation agenda.
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