Ruto’s New Airport Plan Signals Kenya’s Push for Economic Growth and Global Connectivity

By Linet Amuli - Reporter

Kenya, 17 January 2026 - President William Ruto has announced that construction of a new multi-billion-shilling airport will begin in April or early May this year, marking a major step in the government’s strategy to strengthen Kenya’s national infrastructure and accelerate economic growth.

Speaking on Saturday during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots leaders’ meeting in Nyeri, the Head of State said the long-delayed project would finally move from planning to implementation, positioning Kenya as a more competitive hub for trade, tourism, and investment.

“The airport has been a problem in this country; by the fourth or fifth month of this year, we will start building a new airport. This is because we must change the country,” Ruto said.

The new facility is expected to significantly ease congestion at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which has faced capacity constraints amid rising passenger and cargo traffic.

The project comes in the wake of the collapse of the controversial Adani-backed JKIA expansion deal in 2024, which left the country searching for alternative solutions to its growing aviation needs.

Sources familiar with the plans indicate that the proposed airport may be located near Konza Technopolis, though the final site is yet to be confirmed.

Once completed, the world-class facility will feature new terminals, additional runways, and expanded aircraft bays, with construction costs estimated at approximately KSh 264 billion.

Beyond easing congestion, the airport is expected to stimulate economic activity by creating thousands of jobs during construction and operation, boosting tourism arrivals, and enhancing Kenya’s appeal as a regional logistics and aviation hub connecting Africa to global markets.

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The airport project forms part of a broader infrastructure drive aimed at unlocking economic potential across all regions.

Ruto also highlighted the ongoing construction of a 700-kilometre highway linking Isiolo to Mandera, a project designed to open up North Eastern Kenya, strengthen security, and enhance cross-border trade.

“These developments are happening in Nyeri, the Coast, Mt Kenya, Rift Valley, Western Kenya, Nyanza, and North Eastern,” the President said, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive development.

In addition, Ruto confirmed plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway, revealing that construction of the railway line from Naivasha to Kisumu, Malaba, and onward to Uganda is set to begin in February 2026.

Taken together, the new airport, expanded railway network, and major highway projects signal Kenya’s long-term ambition to modernise its transport infrastructure, lower the cost of doing business, and position the country for sustained economic growth in an increasingly competitive global economy.