President William Ruto has affirmed that plans to upgrade Suneka Airstrip into a fully operational airport are intact, promising residents of Kisii and the surrounding region easier access to air travel.
Speaking during a development tour of Kisii County, the President said the long-awaited project would spare locals the burden of travelling long distances to catch flights in neighbouring counties.
“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.”
Currently, many travellers from the region rely on facilities such as Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay County or Kisumu International Airport to access domestic and international flights.
Ruto said the government will extend the runway at Suneka and construct a modern terminal building, with the aim of operationalising the airport by the end of the year.
“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 connect to Europe or any other place in the world.”
The planned upgrade is expected to significantly boost the region’s economy by enhancing the movement of people, goods, and services. It will also strengthen Western Kenya’s aviation network by complementing existing and upcoming facilities, including Kisumu International Airport and the planned Narok Airport.
The development is seen as long overdue, with efforts to modernise Suneka Airstrip dating back to the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
At the time, the then Kisii Governor James Ongwae had presented a memorandum to the national government seeking the upgrade of the facility to handle commercial flights.
In addition, several aviation firms had previously expressed interest in managing the airstrip following feasibility studies conducted by the government, signalling its potential viability as a commercial airport.
The expansion of Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay earlier this year has already begun to ease travel in the region.
The state-owned facility, operated by the Kenya Airports Authority, now features a paved runway capable of supporting commercial passenger flights, boosting tourism and agricultural exports.
Similarly, the Narok Airport project—launched by President Ruto in May 2025—aims to improve access to the Maasai Mara, one of Kenya’s top tourist destinations.
Kisumu International Airport, the country’s fourth international gateway, is also undergoing major expansion works, including the construction of a new air traffic control tower and upgrades to cargo and passenger facilities, expected to be completed in 2026.
Beyond aviation, Ruto also announced plans to invest in sports infrastructure in Kisii, citing the region’s strong football culture.
“You know very well we are constructing a beautiful stadium in Nairobi, but here in Kisii, there is a talented football team, Shabana FC,” he 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.”
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