President William Ruto has renewed his pledge to expand Suneka Airstrip in Kisii.
President William Ruto says he will work with Kisii Governor Simba Arati to extend the runway and accommodate larger aircraft.
President William Ruto has renewed his Suneka Airstrip upgrade pledge, promising a longer runway to accommodate larger aircraft in Kisii. The commitment follows years of stalled works and spending that has yet to deliver commercial flights.
Speaking on Tuesday in Bonchari Constituency, Ruto said his government would partner with Kisii Governor Simba Arati. He made the announcement during the third day of his tour of the Gusii region.
Ruto acknowledged the facility’s challenges but said he and Arati had agreed to pursue its completion. He also said extending the runway would reduce residents’ dependence on airports in neighbouring counties.
Suneka Airstrip upgrade follows stalled investment
The facility’s major rehabilitation began in 2015 with a Sh52 million project to improve passenger and administrative facilities. The first phase included a lounge designed for 200 people, toilets, a car park and an administration block.
It also covered a perimeter fence and runway markings. Announcing the works in February 2015, the Kisii County Government said the improvements would support tourism and business.
However, accommodating commercial passenger and cargo aircraft required further investment and a longer runway. In 2020, the national government allocated another Sh300 million towards expansion to handle larger aircraft.
The Kenya Airports Authority subsequently undertook second-phase runway rehabilitation under a contract initially worth Sh134 million. The contract value later changed to approximately Sh129.2 million.
However, work stalled after the contractor left the site. The authority’s audited accounts for 2021/2022 recorded progress at just 58 per cent before the contractor removed equipment in April 2022.
Government shifts from closure plans to revival
In August 2023, Ruto announced plans to decommission Suneka Airstrip because it lacked sufficient land for expansion. That decision marked a setback for residents and local leaders who had sought an upgrade for years.
However, the government later reversed course. In August 2025, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced moves to recommission the facility following consultations between Ruto and Gusii leaders.
Ogamba said the President had directed leaders to review the airstrip’s status and facilitate construction’s resumption. The revival effort then advanced in July 2026, when Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo announced a replacement contractor.
Omollo said the previous contractor had encountered challenges. He also said officials had completed the necessary documentation to allow construction to resume.
