President William Ruto enjoys a dance with Treasury CS John Mbadi and other leaders in Kisumu on September 13, 2026./PCS

President William Ruto has put the value of planned government investments in Nyanza at between Sh600 billion and Sh700 billion.

The Head of State declared that the region should not view the massive spending as a favour but as its rightful share of national resources.

Speaking in Kisumu on Sunday as he began his four-day tour of Nyanza, Ruto said the investments were part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that development was spread across the country.

He said Nyanza should not view the projects as favours from the national government but as its rightful share of national resources.

The President said Sh7.8 billion had been set aside to expand electricity connectivity in Nyanza, while Sh12 billion would support investments in the blue economy across the region’s four counties.

He said the government was also investing heavily in roads, with the allocation for the region rising from about Sh10 billion to Sh92 billion since 2022.

“When we came into the office the budget was about Sh10 billion and now it has increased 10 times more,” he said.

Ruto cited Sh135 billion for housing, hostels and markets, describing the allocation as part of the government’s effort to improve housing and commercial infrastructure.

He also noted the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Kisumu and eventually Malaba, linking the railway network to Uganda at a projected cost of Sh450 billion.

“The works have started, and it will cost the government Sh450 billion to bring the railway to Kisumu and Malaba and join Uganda,” he said.

The President further said Kenya was considering nuclear energy development, with an initial 2,000-megawatt project estimated to cost Sh250 billion.

He said the government would return to the region in November to commence the first phase of the Lake Victoria Ring Road, whose agreement has already been signed.

The first phase is expected to cost Sh60 billion.

“All these plans I have mentioned means our total budget injected into Nyanza is upwards of Sh600 to Sh700 billion. This money is not a favour to the people of Nyanza. It is a right because they are part of the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.

Ruto linked some of the planned investments to the development agenda championed by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying the projects reflected issues that had featured prominently in his 2022 presidential manifesto.

“Housing was in his manifesto that he ran in 2022. Railways, ring roads, all those were part of his plans,” he said.

He added, "I have hope and faith that what Raila could have done if he were president, I will do as much as I can to ensure that I do all those things that he would have done if God gave him a chance.”

Ruto said he was confident that Raila would be proud of the development projects being implemented in Nyanza.

“I am confident and sure that where Raila is, he is proud because we are implementing the projects where his heart lies,” he said.

The President is scheduled to tour Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay during his four-day visit.