President William Ruto now says that the construction of a new world-class airport will begin in April this year as part of the government's strategy to improve the country's national infrastructure.
Speaking on Saturday, January 17, in Nyeri, Ruto said the construction will either kick off in April or early May, ending years of delays and uncertainty surrounding the project.
"The airport that has been a problem in this country, by the fourth or fifth month of this year, we will start building a new airport. This is because we must change the country," Ruto said.
The Head of State emphasised that the airport project is part of the broader development plan that cuts across all regions, dismissing claims that government projects are meant for only some specific regions.
The Head of State, who was speaking during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots leaders' meeting in Nyeri, said the country’s journey towards first-world status will be unstoppable.
Kenya's new airport is expected to ease congestion at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), following the collapse of the controversial Adani-backed expansion deal in 2024.
Sources privy to the information have indicated that the new airport is proposed for the Konza Technopolis, but locations are still being confirmed.
The project will include new terminals, runways, and more aircraft bays, with the estimated construction cost set to be around Ksh264 billion.
At the same time, Ruto highlighted other major ongoing infrastructure projects in the country, including the construction of a 700-kilometre highway connecting Isiolo to Mandera.
According to the President, the highway was aimed at opening up North Eastern Kenya and boosting trade, security, and economic integration in the region.
"These developments are happening in Nyeri, the coast, the whole of Mt Kenya, Rift Valley, Western Kenya, Nyanza and North Eastern. We are constructing a 700 Kilometre highway connecting North Eastern from Isiolo to Mandera," Ruto stated.
He also confirmed plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), revealing that construction of the railway line from Naivasha to Kisumu, Malaba and onwards to Uganda would commence in February 2026.
“Next month, I am going to launch the start of the construction of the railway line from Naivasha. It will go up to Kisumu, to Malaba and finally to Uganda,” the Head of State revealed.
