KSh 1.3 Billion Rusinga Island Ring Road Officially Opened

President William Ruto has officially commissioned the Rusinga Island Ring Road in Suba North, Homa Bay County, marking the completion of a KSh 1.3 billion infrastructure investment. The 20-kilometre bitumen standard road circles the island along the shores of Lake Victoria, providing a direct link between local beaches, residential areas, and the mainland via the Mbita bridge.

The project, managed by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), was designed to replace the previous earth tracks that often became impassable during rainy seasons. Construction began following a ground-breaking in August 2024, with the government aiming to address historical infrastructure gaps in the Nyanza region.

During the commissioning ceremony, President Ruto noted that the road is a primary component of a broader strategy to support the blue economy. The improved access is intended to facilitate the construction of new fish landing sites, markets, and rescue centres. By reducing travel time around the island, the government expects to lower post-harvest losses for the local fishing community.

The road network serves several key landing sites where the locals have previously struggled with the high cost of transporting perishable catch to mainland markets. With the new pavement, transport providers can now reach the island with greater ease, providing more competitive pricing for the fish trade.

Beyond the immediate benefits to the fisheries sector, the Ring Road is expected to open up Rusinga Island to further private investment in the hospitality industry. The island’s proximity to Ruma National Park and its own white-sand beaches make it a focal point for regional tourism development.

The completion of this project follows the earlier construction of the 160-metre Mbita-Rusinga bridge, which replaced an old causeway that had restricted water flow and fish movement in the Winam Gulf. The combination of the bridge and the new ring road now provides a continuous, high-capacity transport corridor for the island.

Government officials confirmed that the project was completed in approximately 19 months, despite initial delays involving the relocation of utility poles. The road is part of a larger 480-kilometre Lake Victoria ring-road network planned to connect various lakeside counties to improve regional integration.

The locals and regional leaders have welcomed the development, noting that the improved circuit will enhance access to essential services, including schools and healthcare facilities. Following the successful completion of the Rusinga project, KURA has indicated that similar works are being planned for the neighbouring Mfangano Island to further improve connectivity across the lake’s inhabited islands.