President William Ruto has outlined a wide-ranging development programme for Migori County, putting roads, electricity, housing, healthcare, education and agriculture at the centre of his administration’s plans for the region. Speaking in Migori, Ruto said billions of shillings had been allocated to new infrastructure projects while also highlighting government investments in rural electrification, affordable housing, healthcare and the sugar industry.
Highlights
- Sh19 billion allocated for 320 kilometres of new tarmac roads in Migori.
- Government says 82,000 Migori homes have been connected to electricity over the past three years.
- Sh28 billion earmarked for housing, markets and student hostels in the county.
- Ruto says Sh3.7 billion has been sent to support healthcare costs in Migori.
- The President linked the development programme to the broad-based government formed with Raila Odinga.
Main Story
Sh19 Billion Road Investment
President William Ruto says Migori County is set to receive a major infrastructure boost, with Sh19 billion allocated for the construction of 320 kilometres of new tarmac roads.
Ruto said the allocation reflects what he described as a shift away from regional marginalisation, arguing that development resources should reach communities across the country.
The President contrasted the current allocation with Migori’s county budget in 2022, which he said was below Sh2 billion.
More Homes to Receive Electricity
Electricity connectivity was another major focus of Ruto’s address.
According to the President, 82,000 households in Migori have been connected to electricity over the past three years.
He said a further Sh2.3 billion has been allocated to connect an additional 21,000 homes during the coming year. The government is targeting 100,000 household connections in Migori through its rural electrification programme.
Sh28 Billion Housing and Infrastructure Package
Ruto also announced a Sh28 billion allocation for housing and related infrastructure in Migori County.
The proposed programme includes 8,000 housing units, 19 modern markets and accommodation facilities for 8,000 students in tertiary institutions, including Rongo University, TVET institutions and KMTC facilities.
The President said the programme builds on previous slum-upgrading efforts while creating a financing structure aimed at supporting long-term urban renewal.
Nationally, Ruto said the housing programme is targeting 300,000 homes, 600 fresh produce markets and facilities serving 180,000 students.
He also linked the construction programme to employment, saying it currently provides work opportunities for about 1.1 million young Kenyans.
Education Reforms and Teacher Recruitment
Education also featured prominently in the President’s remarks.
Ruto said his administration had recruited 100,000 teachers, constructed 23,000 classrooms and made changes to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), while also introducing a new education funding model.
He argued that the reforms are intended to make access to education less dependent on a family’s financial position and more focused on students’ ability to pursue their studies.
For the government, education remains a key part of its argument for expanding opportunities across different social and economic groups.
Sh3.7 Billion Healthcare Support
On healthcare, Ruto said 615,000 Migori residents had registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
He further stated that Sh3.7 billion had been disbursed to cover medical expenses at dispensaries, health centres and hospitals across the county.
The President presented the funding as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on households.
Sugar Industry Gets Presidential Attention
Ruto also spoke about the sugar sector, particularly the revival of Sonny Sugar.
He said factory workers and sugarcane farmers were now receiving more consistent monthly payments, contrasting the situation with previous delays.
The President added that he would return to Migori the following month to oversee what he described as the first bonus payments for sugarcane farmers, with the intention of bringing them closer to the payment arrangements enjoyed by tea farmers.
Ruto Defends Broad-Based Government
The President also used the Migori address to defend the broad-based government formed through cooperation between his administration and allies of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Ruto said the arrangement had created a platform for cooperation on areas including agriculture, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
His remarks come as political parties and leaders continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. Recent discussions have included questions about the future of cooperation between UDA and ODM, with leaders publicly debating the terms of any potential political arrangement.
Ruto contrasted his administration’s approach with what he described as politics centred on personalities, ethnic parties and temporary alliances.
He urged residents to support what he presented as a development-focused political arrangement, saying the broad-based government would continue pursuing its national development agenda.
For Migori residents, the key question now is how quickly the announced investments will move from presidential commitments and budget allocations to projects that can be seen and felt on the ground.
