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Ruto Renews Suneka Airport Promise, Pledges Runway Expansion in Partnership with Arati

NEMUEL OMOKE Nov 11, 2026 0

KISII, Kenya, November 11 – President William Ruto has renewed his commitment to transform Suneka Airstrip in Bonchari Constituency into a fully operational airport, promising to work with Kisii Governor Simba Arati to expand the runway and upgrade the facility to accommodate bigger aircraft.

Speaking on Tuesday, November 10, during the third day of his development tour of the Gusii region, Ruto said the national government would collaborate with the county government to address the challenges that have delayed the project for years.

The President made the announcement while addressing residents in Bonchari, where the airstrip is located, acknowledging the difficulties that have affected its development.

“I want to tell the people of Bonchari as well, and Simba, that we are going to build that new airport,” Ruto said during his trip to the region recently.

He added that he had reached an understanding with Governor Arati on the proposed expansion, including extending the runway to enable larger aircraft to land in Kisii.

“That airport had many challenges, but I have agreed with this Simba that we are going to build that new airport and even compensate people around that region and have room for expansion,” he said.

The President said the planned expansion would improve air transport in the region and reduce the need for residents to travel to neighbouring counties to access commercial flights.

“He will plan with me how we will extend that runway so that the big aircraft can land here for the people of Kisii,” Ruto added.

The renewed commitment comes amid years of uncertainty surrounding the airstrip, which has received substantial public investment but is yet to realise its full ambition of becoming a fully operational commercial aviation facility.

Millions invested as project encounters delays

Suneka Airstrip’s transformation has been discussed for more than a decade, with successive investments and government commitments failing to deliver regular commercial passenger services.

In 2015, the Kisii County Government announced a Sh52 million rehabilitation programme targeting improvements to passenger and administrative facilities.

The first phase included a passenger lounge with a capacity of 200 people, toilets, a car park, an administration block, perimeter fencing and runway markings.

However, the ambition of accommodating larger passenger and cargo aircraft required further investment, particularly in runway expansion.

In 2020, the national government allocated an additional Sh300 million towards the expansion of the facility.

The Kenya Airports Authority subsequently undertook Phase II runway rehabilitation works under a contract initially valued at Sh134 million, which was later revised to approximately Sh129.2 million.

From proposed closure to renewed expansion plans

In August 2023, President Ruto announced plans to decommission Suneka Airstrip, citing insufficient land for the Kenya Airports Authority to undertake the required expansion.

The announcement raised concerns among residents and local leaders who had long advocated for an upgraded aviation facility in Kisii.

However, the government’s position subsequently changed following consultations with Gusii leaders.

In August 2025, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the government was considering recommissioning the facility following discussions between the President and regional leaders.

The revival efforts gained further momentum in July 2026 when Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo announced that a new contractor had been appointed to take over the stalled expansion project.

Omollo said the previous contractor had encountered challenges and that the necessary documentation had been finalised to facilitate the resumption of construction.

He indicated that the new contractor was expected to begin work the following week. the-star.co.ke+1

Residents await implementation of latest pledge

Ruto’s latest announcement places renewed attention on the long-standing aviation project, with the proposed partnership between the national government and Kisii County expected to play a central role in its implementation.

If completed, the expansion could improve access to air transport for residents, businesses and investors in Kisii and the wider Gusii region.

It could also support tourism, trade and the movement of agricultural products while strengthening connectivity with other parts of the country.

However, questions remain over the project’s implementation timeline, the scope of the proposed expansion, the availability of land and the financial commitments required to deliver the facility.

For residents of Bonchari and the wider Kisii region, the latest presidential commitment renews expectations that Suneka will eventually move beyond years of stalled works and repeated announcements to become a functional airport.