The Government is implementing development projects worth over Ksh 21 billion in Kakamega County to transform the region’s economy, President William Ruto has announced.
Among these investments are Ksh 14 billion for affordable housing, Ksh 2.5 billion for modern markets, and Ksh 2 billion for student hostels.
President Ruto said that Western Kenya has long lagged behind in national development, hence the need for affirmative action to bring it up to par with other parts of the country.
“We want to make sure that Western Kenya is as good as any other part of the Republic of Kenya,” he said on Saturday at State Lodge, Kakamega.
He made the remarks during a breakfast meeting with grassroots leaders from the county, where he briefed them on ongoing and upcoming government projects in Kakamega and across the nation.
Leaders present included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Governor Fernandes Barasa, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, as well as principal secretaries, MPs, and MCAs.
President Ruto announced plans to establish a Ksh 1.5 billion gold refinery in Kakamega in preparation for a private investor who intends to invest over $1 billion in gold mining in the county. He urged local leaders to support both local and foreign investors, instead of discouraging them.
“I will continue encouraging investors to come to Kakamega. Be ambassadors of your county and the country,” he said.
The President assured residents that the government would protect them from exploitation by investors. He also revealed plans to upgrade Kakamega Airport at a cost of Ksh 400 million by extending the runway from 900 metres to 1.2 kilometres and widening it to accommodate larger aircraft.
Additionally, the government will complete the Bukhungu Stadium project at a cost of Ksh 1.4 billion and the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital at Ksh 1 billion.
President Ruto explained that when he took office in 2022, the country faced a difficult economic situation, and his administration had to make tough decisions to prevent debt default and restore stability. He said that agricultural reforms introduced over the past three years have led to higher production and better prices for farmers.
In the sugar sector, the government has invested Ksh 4.7 billion to revive production, reducing sugar imports by 70 percent.
“Farmers and employees are now being paid on time, and our factories are contributing to the economy by paying taxes,” he said.
“By 2027, we will not be importing sugar. By 2029, Kenya will be a net exporter.”
Due to the sector’s improved performance, the government has issued licenses for four new sugar factories.
The President also said that reforms in the education sector have stabilized public universities financially and strengthened the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) system.
On universal healthcare, he highlighted that reforms have made the system fairer and more equitable. Under the Social Health Authority (SHA) introduced in October 2024, Kenyans contribute based on their income and ability to pay. Since its rollout, the government has paid Ksh 3 billion to hospitals — up from the previous Ksh 700 million annually.
In Kakamega County alone, 876,000 people have registered with SHA, ranking the county 19th out of 47. The President urged more residents to register to access free healthcare and help the government plan effectively.
“I am committed to ensuring that SHA works because it is the only way to achieve equity in healthcare delivery,” he said.
He added that the government is improving SHA’s efficiency and eliminating corruption within the system. The President also commended Kakamega residents for supporting the labour mobility programme, which has connected over 400,000 Kenyans with jobs abroad.
Later, President Ruto broke ground for the construction of student hostels at Ebukanga Technical and Vocational College in Emuhaya, Vihiga County, and launched the 33km Shamakhokho–Kaimosi–Mpaka–Mululu–Museno–Malinya Road linking Kakamega and Vihiga counties.
The President concluded by stressing the need for bold leadership and decisive reforms to propel Kenya toward first-world status.
“We all agree as leaders on what we must do to take Kenya forward. I will see through the reforms needed to get us there,” he said.
