By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 16 May 2026 - President William Ruto has announced fresh plans to transform transport infrastructure in Western Kenya, promising expanded airports and a multi-billion-shilling highway project aimed at easing movement of people and goods across the region.
Speaking during a meeting with Bungoma religious leaders at State House on Saturday, the President said the government is pushing ahead with projects designed to improve regional connectivity and unlock economic growth.
Among the key projects is the expansion of Matulo Airstrip in Bungoma County, where the government plans to build a new terminal and extend the runway to allow larger aircraft to land.
Ruto revealed that he had already directed the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to begin the upgrade process and asked Bungoma County to provide additional land for expansion.
“At the Matulo airport, I had already asked your governor to allocate land, and I have also instructed KAA to extend the runway and construct a terminal building,” he said.
According to the President, the terminal building is expected to be completed by December this year.
“Very soon we will be landing seamlessly in Matulo airport in Bungoma,” he added.
The announcement is expected to excite residents and traders in the region who have long pushed for better air connectivity to support business, tourism and investment.
Ruto also confirmed that expansion works at Kakamega Airstrip are ongoing and currently about 70 per cent complete.
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Beyond airports, the President outlined plans for one of the country’s biggest road projects — the KSh130 billion Mau Summit-Malaba highway.
The proposed four-lane highway will stretch roughly 300 kilometres and form part of efforts to improve transport along the busy Northern Corridor used by cargo trucks travelling to Uganda and neighbouring countries.
Ruto said funding has already been secured for the project’s feasibility study.
He expressed confidence that construction could begin next year after completion of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway currently under construction.
“The road from Rironi to Mau Summit will be complete by April. Thousands of Kenyans from Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley have been struggling along the highway, getting stuck every time,” he said.
The President further disclosed that the road expansion works will include an eight-lane highway between Rironi and Mai Mahiu, while the Naivasha-Nakuru section will be upgraded into a six-lane road.
“Hopefully, when I come back in April to open the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, I will also launch the construction of the Mau Summit-Malaba highway,” he said.
The projects are part of the government’s broader infrastructure push targeting key transport corridors seen as critical to trade and economic growth.