By Peter Mukabi
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Bungoma County through the implementation of a series of large-scale development projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents, creating employment opportunities, and accelerating economic growth.
Speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Bungoma County at State House, Nairobi, led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, the President said the national government remains focused on delivering development projects that will have a lasting impact on the county’s social and economic progress.
One of the key initiatives highlighted is the KSh30 billion Affordable Housing Programme, which is expected to reshape Bungoma Town through the construction of an 18,000-unit smart city. The project is designed to provide affordable and decent housing while creating thousands of jobs in the construction sector and related industries. The programme also includes the development of 15 modern markets to provide traders with improved business facilities, as well as the construction of student hostels to support learners pursuing higher education.
In the health sector, the Government announced that it has allocated KSh8 billion for the construction of a Level Six Referral Hospital in Bungoma County. Once completed, the facility is expected to significantly improve access to specialized medical services, reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the county, and strengthen healthcare delivery across the Western Kenya region.
The Government also reiterated its commitment to upgrading the country’s road infrastructure. It confirmed that the ongoing expansion of the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway will eventually be extended through Eldoret and Bungoma to the Malaba border. The expanded highway is expected to reduce travel time, improve road safety, facilitate regional trade, and strengthen Kenya’s position as a transport corridor linking East African countries.
On agriculture, the Government said reforms introduced in the sugar sector have started yielding positive results. According to the administration, sugarcane farmers are now receiving payments more promptly and earning better returns for their produce, particularly in Bungoma County and other major sugar-growing regions. The reforms are intended to revive the sugar industry, enhance productivity, and improve farmers’ livelihoods after years of financial challenges.
The President emphasized that these investments form part of the Government’s broader national development agenda aimed at promoting inclusive economic growth, creating employment opportunities for young people, strengthening public infrastructure, and ensuring that every region benefits from sustainable development.
The meeting with Bungoma grassroots leaders also provided an opportunity to review the progress of ongoing projects and discuss additional priorities that will help accelerate development and improve service delivery across the county.
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