The completion of the Rusinga Island Ring Road upgrade to bitumen standards is expected to boost economic activity, improve transport and open up tourism opportunities in Suba North Constituency, Homa Bay County.
According to Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, the road upgrade, implemented by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), has strengthened connectivity across the island following its commissioning by President William Ruto in March 2026.
Omollo said the improved road network was making movement easier for residents, traders and visitors while enhancing access to fishing beaches, lakefront settlements and tourism attractions.
The development is expected to support growth in the Blue Economy by improving the movement of fish and other goods to markets, reducing transport challenges and enabling businesses to reach more customers.
“With smoother and more reliable roads, residents can transport fish and other goods to markets more efficiently, businesses can reach a wider customer base and visitors can explore the island with greater ease,” Omollo said.
Transport costs
The improved road network is expected to reduce travel times and transport costs, potentially improving household incomes and strengthening local businesses.
Omollo said better connectivity could also encourage investment in hospitality and other tourism-related services as visitors find it easier to access Rusinga Island’s attractions.
The upgrade is part of efforts to improve transport infrastructure in the region and strengthen links between communities, markets and economic opportunities.
Security
Omollo said infrastructure improvements were being complemented by the work of the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration in coordinating local administration, supporting the orderly implementation of public projects and strengthening security within Kenya’s territorial waters on Lake Victoria.
He noted that coordination between infrastructure development and security operations was important in creating an environment where fishing, trade and tourism could thrive.
The government’s focus, he said, was to ensure that improved infrastructure translates into tangible benefits for residents of Rusinga Island and the wider local economy.
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