President William Ruto on Thursday, September 17, 2026, concluded his tour of the Nyanza region with a visit to Homa Bay County, where he inspected development projects, launched and opened modern markets, announced additional investment in agriculture and promised improvements to Kabunde Airstrip.

The Homa Bay visit was the final leg of a wider development tour that had taken the President through Kisumu, Siaya and Migori. The tour focused heavily on roads, markets, water, housing, agriculture, education and other infrastructure projects. In Homa Bay, the President's programme brought together national and county government officials, local leaders, traders and residents. 

Inspection of Misambi Modern Market

One of the first major activities during President Ruto's Homa Bay visit was an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Misambi Modern Market in Kabondo-Kasipul Constituency.

The market is expected to provide a modern trading environment for approximately 200 traders once completed. According to reports from the visit, construction is scheduled for completion in November.

The project is part of a much wider government programme to construct modern markets in different parts of the country. Ruto said his administration was investing KSh3.5 billion in 21 modern markets across Homa Bay County.

The President explained that the objective of the markets was to provide traders, including small-scale traders and "Mama Mboga," with cleaner and more dignified places to conduct business. 

The development of modern markets is also being linked to the government's wider Affordable Housing Programme. The administration has presented markets, housing, roads, water and sewerage infrastructure as interconnected investments intended to transform urban centres and trading centres.

Kendu Bay Modern Market

President Ruto also visited Kendu Bay in Karachuonyo Constituency, where he handed over the Kendu Bay Economic Stimulus Programme modern market.

The market is expected to accommodate about 300 traders, providing space for small businesses and other commercial activities.

The project is significant for traders because modern market infrastructure can provide better facilities for selling goods, storage and customer access compared with informal trading spaces.

During the Homa Bay tour, the President used the markets to explain his administration's approach to supporting small businesses. The government has argued that improving trading infrastructure can help create a better environment for informal-sector workers and entrepreneurs.

Kijebi Modern Market in Suba South

Another major stop was Kijebi Modern Market in Suba South, which President Ruto opened during the visit.

The opening of the facility formed part of the President's broader message that modern markets should become important centres of economic activity in local communities.

The President's visit to Suba South also highlighted the government's focus on infrastructure in areas away from the county headquarters.

The earlier itinerary for the Homa Bay leg had included the Sindo Economic Stimulus Programme market, town roads in Suba South and the Junction-Kodiyo-Pier road network in Homa Bay Town. 

KSh70 Million Additional Funding for Agricultural Centre

One of the significant announcements made during the visit was the President's decision to add KSh70 million to funding for a proposed agricultural training and research centre in Kabondo-Kasipul.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga had requested additional national government support for the project. The county government had already set aside KSh30 million, meaning the planned investment would rise to approximately KSh100 million following Ruto's pledge.

The proposed centre is expected to support agricultural training, demonstration farming and an aggregation facility. Sweet potatoes are particularly important in the area, and the county has been working on facilities intended to improve production and post-harvest handling. 

The agricultural project therefore adds another dimension to the President's Homa Bay visit. While markets were central to the tour, the agricultural announcement focused on production and helping farmers move beyond selling raw produce toward better aggregation and handling.

Ruto said the investment would help farmers improve production and contribute to food security.

Kabunde Airstrip Expansion

Another major announcement was the planned expansion of Kabunde Airstrip, also known as Homa Bay Airport.

President Ruto said the government would support an extension of the runway to allow larger aircraft to land at the facility.

According to reports from the President's address, the planned improvement is intended to strengthen air connectivity and support economic activity in Homa Bay. The President linked the airstrip expansion with road infrastructure around the facility.

Kabunde Airstrip is located about six kilometres from Homa Bay town. It was previously modernised and began receiving commercial flights in 2016, with the runway having been extended to about 1,200 metres during an earlier upgrade. 

The proposed expansion could have implications for tourism, business travel, government operations and access to the county. However, the practical impact will depend on the eventual scope, funding, construction and completion of the proposed works.

Roads and Transport Infrastructure

Road infrastructure remained another important part of the Homa Bay programme.

The President's itinerary included attention to several roads and town-road projects, including the Junction-Kodiyo-Pier road network in Homa Bay Town and roads in Suba South.

Roads are particularly important for Homa Bay because they connect farmers and traders to markets while also facilitating movement between towns, beaches, fishing centres and other economic areas.

The road projects also form part of a larger infrastructure programme highlighted throughout Ruto's Nyanza tour.

The President's four-day regional programme involved inspection and commissioning of roads and other projects in Kisumu, Siaya and Migori before the final Homa Bay stop. 

Focus on Small Traders

Small-scale traders were among the biggest beneficiaries highlighted during the Homa Bay visit.

The modern markets programme is designed to provide better working conditions for traders who often operate in open spaces or informal structures.

At Misambi, the planned facility is expected to serve around 200 traders, while Kendu Bay's market is expected to accommodate about 300.

The President said the national government was investing heavily in modern markets across the country. According to reports from the visit, the government is developing 600 modern markets nationally, with Homa Bay accounting for 21 markets under the programme. 

The projects are therefore being presented not simply as buildings but as part of a broader economic programme targeting traders and local commercial centres.

Political Messages During the Visit

Although the tour was presented primarily around development projects, President Ruto also made political statements during his Homa Bay engagements.

Speaking at Misambi Modern Market, he argued that his administration's cooperation with the Orange Democratic Movement and the broader government arrangement provided a platform for development.

He also criticised rival political formations, describing them as lacking a clear development agenda. Those remarks were political claims made by the President and should be understood in that context. 

The political dimension of the visit was significant because Homa Bay is part of the traditional political base of ODM and because Kenya is approaching the 2027 General Election.

The President's Nyanza tour therefore combined development activities with political engagement. He visited major projects, addressed residents and interacted with leaders who are participating in the broad-based government arrangement.

John Mbadi Speaks About Raila Odinga

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi also made notable remarks during Ruto's Homa Bay visit.

Mbadi said that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had encouraged him to support President Ruto's development agenda after ODM entered the broad-based government.

According to Mbadi, Raila wanted members of his political movement participating in government to help ensure that the administration delivered on its development commitments. Mbadi also said discussions had taken place regarding cooperation between ODM and Ruto's United Democratic Alliance. 

These remarks came during a politically significant period, particularly because the President's Nyanza visit occurred less than a month before the first anniversary of Raila Odinga's death.

Ruto has also said during the wider tour that he intends to preserve aspects of Raila's legacy. Reports from the Nyanza tour indicate that the President promised that the Raila Odinga mausoleum and renovation of Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Siaya would be completed and handed over to the Odinga family by October 14, 2026. 

Governor Gladys Wanga's Role

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was among the leaders accompanying President Ruto during the county visit.

Her administration used the occasion to seek additional national government support for county development priorities, including the agricultural training and research centre in Kabondo-Kasipul.

The request for additional funding resulted in the President announcing the extra KSh70 million, bringing the planned investment in the agricultural centre to KSh100 million.

The interaction demonstrated how national and county governments can use presidential visits to raise requests for additional projects and funding.

What the Visit Means for Homa Bay

The Homa Bay visit brought attention to several sectors that directly affect residents' daily lives.

For traders, the modern markets are expected to provide improved working spaces.

For farmers, the proposed agricultural centre and aggregation facilities could provide opportunities for training, demonstration farming and better handling of agricultural produce.

For travellers and businesses, the proposed expansion of Kabunde Airstrip could potentially improve air connectivity if the planned works are implemented.

For motorists and businesses, road improvements are intended to make movement easier and improve connections between communities and commercial centres.

For the county as a whole, the President's announcements add Homa Bay to the list of areas where the national government is highlighting investment in infrastructure and economic development.