President William Ruto has pledged to expand Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay County to allow it to accommodate larger aircraft and improve air transport in the region.

The announcement was made during Ruto’s ongoing tour of Homa Bay and other parts of Luo Nyanza, where he has been launching and inspecting government development projects.

The planned expansion is expected to build on the recent rehabilitation of the airstrip’s runway. In April 2026, Kabunde reopened after its runway was upgraded to about 1.3 kilometres, allowing airlines to operate passenger flights between Homa Bay and Nairobi.

Renegade Air initially resumed operations using a Dash 8-100 aircraft with a capacity of 37 passengers. The airline said it could deploy larger aircraft if demand for flights from the region increased.

The government has also outlined additional improvements at Kabunde. The wider development programme includes further runway works and the construction of a passenger terminal, with the aim of improving the airstrip’s capacity and supporting increased passenger traffic.

The expansion is expected to improve Homa Bay’s connection with Nairobi and other parts of the country. It could also support tourism and business activities in the region, including access to nearby destinations such as Ruma National Park.

Kabunde Airstrip is also expected to serve neighbouring counties by providing an alternative air transport link for residents and businesses.

The planned improvements form part of a broader government development programme in Luo Nyanza, covering infrastructure, transport, housing, agriculture, health and other sectors.