President William Samoei Ruto has committed a landmark KSh 28 billion to fast-track transformative projects across Siaya County, delivering 8,000 affordable housing units, 25 modern markets, and student hostels accommodating up to 11,000 learners.
The sweeping investment, announced during the President’s high-profile visit to Bondo on March 8, 2026 — where he officially launched the Siaya Community Digital Hub alongside ODM leader Oburu Oginga — marks one of the largest single development packages ever directed at the county.
Speaking directly to enthusiastic crowds, President Ruto broke down the flagship allocation: KSh 18 billion for the construction of 8,000 new affordable homes under the national Affordable Housing Programme, KSh 5.6 billion for modern student hostels serving institutions including TVETs, KMTC campuses, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and the remainder dedicated to building 25 state-of-the-art markets and supporting infrastructure.
“In Siaya alone, we have projects for housing, markets, and hostels worth 28 billion shillings — the highest ever,” the President declared, stressing that the initiatives will generate thousands of jobs, revitalize local economies, provide decent accommodation for young people, and open new business opportunities for traders and entrepreneurs.
The KSh 28 billion headline package forms part of a broader development blueprint for Siaya. Additional major commitments include:
– Construction of 300 kilometres of new tarmac roads, with immediate funding of KSh 5 billion and a further KSh 10 billion planned for the next financial year.
– Electricity connections for thousands of households — KSh 1.6 billion released immediately, scaling up to KSh 3.7 billion with supplementary funds.
– Upgrade of Siaya Stadium to international standards, set to host this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations.
– KSh 700 million to elevate a local hospital to Level 6 status, reducing the need for long referrals to Kisumu or Eldoret.
– KSh 1 billion for university infrastructure improvements, plus development of the Usenge Pier and enhanced fish landing sites to boost the blue economy, with KSh 1 billion already earmarked and KSh 10 billion pledged for wider Nyanza lake initiatives.
Local residents and leaders have welcomed the announcements with optimism. The 8,000 new homes will significantly reduce the county’s housing shortage and offer families greater stability and dignity. The 25 modern markets will replace outdated trading spaces with facilities featuring cold storage, improved sanitation, and dedicated stalls — a direct boost for small-scale traders, farmers, and market vendors. The hostels will ease chronic accommodation shortages at tertiary institutions, helping retain more students locally and supporting youth education.
“This is not just about building structures,” President Ruto told the gathering. “We want to develop every part of Kenya equally so that all citizens benefit from progress.” He called on local leaders to rise above politics and focus on delivery, promising to return soon to launch the next phase of road and pier projects.
Long known as a political powerhouse but often underserved in infrastructure, Siaya is now firmly on the national development map. With affordable housing rising, modern markets taking shape, student hostels under construction, reliable electricity expanding, and connectivity improving, the county is moving from promise to tangible reality.
As residents put it: Siaya is rising — one bold investment at a time.
