President William Ruto on Sunday began a five-day development tour of Western Kenya, inspecting ongoing projects and launching new initiatives across Busia, Kakamega, and Vihiga counties.
The tour commenced in Kakamega, where the President inspected rehabilitation and expansion works at Kakamega Airstrip, highlighting the project’s potential to enhance regional air connectivity and spur economic growth.
In Busia, President Ruto launched multiple infrastructure projects, including the construction of the 13km Nangina-Sio Port-Okados-Mundere road in Budalang’i, a KSh860 million project linking Funyula and Budalang’i constituencies to boost trade and economic activity. He also laid the foundation stone for the Budalang’i Modern Market, a KSh130 million investment, and the KSh5.5 billion Nasewa Affordable Housing Project, which will deliver 2,000 housing units to complement the Nasewa County Aggregation and Industrial Park, creating employment for local youth.
Additionally, the President launched the KSh545 million Matayos-Namwitsula Bridge-Nawesa CAIIP-Shibale road, a 13km project to improve regional connectivity.
In Kakamega, Ruto oversaw the launch of the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity project in Nderema village, Mumias East Constituency, connecting 161 homes at a cost of KSh12.7 million. He noted that the government is investing KSh2.37 billion to connect more than 36,700 households to electricity across Kakamega County. The President also laid the foundation for the Malaha Modern Market, one of 24 such markets being developed in Kakamega at a total cost exceeding KSh4.4 billion.
In Vihiga, Ruto launched rehabilitation works for the 11km Chavaki-Lusiola and Shikumu-Malinya roads in Sabatia Constituency, at a cost of KSh953 million. In Kakamega’s Ikolomani Constituency, he broke ground for the Shitoli Water Project rehabilitation and solarisation, a KSh212 million initiative that will provide sustainable water supply to more than 45,000 residents.
While inspecting the projects, President Ruto urged political rivals to focus on substantive issues rather than engage in “cheap politics,” emphasizing the need for leaders to present credible development plans to Kenyans.
“I challenge my critics to tell Kenyans the plans they have if they are, indeed, intelligent people,” he said, noting that national transformation has often been delayed by leaders without vision.
The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive development, citing achievements in housing, health, education, roads, and other critical sectors.
“Across the country, we are transforming the delivery of development to the people of Kenya, ensuring that progress reaches every sector and every community, leaving no one behind. Our plan is credible, practical, and proven through decisive action,” he said.
President Ruto condemned politics rooted in ethnicity, insults, and exclusion, highlighting that Kenyans are increasingly rejecting divisive rhetoric in favour of leaders who offer actionable development agendas.
The tour was attended by Paul Otuoma (Busia Governor), Fernandez Baraza (Kakamega Governor), Wilberforce Otichilo (Vihiga Governor), Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya and Alice Wahome, Members of Parliament, and other county leaders, who praised the projects for their transformative impact on regional livelihoods.
