President William Ruto has moved to reassure residents of Nyamira County that the upcoming Naivasha–Kisumu Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) will pass through the region and include a major station at Ikonge.
Speaking during the second day of his development tour in the Gusii region, the President dismissed claims that Nyamira had been excluded from the railway expansion plan. He confirmed that the government will construct a modern SGR station worth KSh300 million in Ikonge, designed to serve both passengers and cargo.
“I will build a KSh300 million railway station here at Ikonge for goods and passengers. It is now up to you to plan how to fully utilize this opportunity,” Ruto told residents in North Mugirango.
Concerns had been raised by local leaders and residents after earlier railway maps showed stations in Narok, Mulot, Bomet, Sotik, Sondu, Ahero, and Kisumu—without listing Nyamira. However, the President emphasized that the county remains part of the SGR expansion route.
“I initiated the extension of the SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu. Do not listen to critics who have no track record in development. Nyamira will benefit from this project,” he affirmed.
In addition to the railway project, President Ruto launched the construction of a modern market in Ikonge and revealed plans to secure international funding for healthcare improvements. He announced an upcoming trip to Italy to negotiate KSh1 billion in funding for the upgrade of Nyamira County Hospital.
The President also highlighted his administration’s efforts in supporting the health sector, noting that over KSh1.56 billion owed by the Social Health Authority (SHA) to county hospitals has already been settled.
On infrastructure, Ruto listed several road projects either underway or in the tendering phase, including:
- Amabuko–Magombo Road
- Motemomuamu–Manga Road
- Keumbu–Kiendege Road
- Chabera–Nyamaiya Road
- Tombe–Isinta–Mokomoni Road
He also pointed to the ongoing 62-kilometre Eronge–Manga–Chepilat–Saiga Ngiya–Kineni–Nyansiongo–Tinderet road project in Borabu Constituency, which is currently 58% complete and expected to be finalized by the end of the year.
As he concluded his address, President Ruto pledged to roll out more development projects in the region while rallying residents to support his bid for a second term in the 2027 general elections.