President William Ruto has officially launched the construction of the Malava–Samitsi–Navakholo Road in Kakamega County, setting in motion a major infrastructure project designed to improve regional connectivity, boost trade, and open up new economic opportunities across Western Kenya.
The project, which forms part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s broader infrastructure development plan, is expected to enhance access to markets and public services for thousands of residents in Malava, Navakholo, and neighboring constituencies.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony in Malava town, President Ruto emphasized that the new road would play a critical role in unlocking the region’s agricultural and trade potential.
“We are investing in roads like this one because they directly impact livelihoods — from farmers transporting produce to traders accessing new markets,” the President said. “Better roads mean faster movement of goods, lower transport costs, and increased productivity across our communities.”
The Head of State noted that the contractor has already mobilized to site, with work expected to begin immediately. The road, he said, reflects his administration’s pledge to promote equitable development across all regions, ensuring that no part of Kenya is left behind.
A Catalyst for Regional Growth
The Malava–Samitsi–Navakholo Road is expected to significantly improve movement between Kakamega’s agricultural heartlands and key market centers within Western Kenya and beyond. The route links smallholder farmers to larger trade corridors, connecting local produce to regional hubs such as Bungoma, Busia, and Kisumu.
By easing the transport of farm produce such as sugarcane, maize, and dairy products, the project is projected to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance market competitiveness for rural producers.
Infrastructure development in the region has long been cited as a major driver of rural transformation, with improved road networks stimulating investment in agro-processing, logistics, and service sectors.
Leaders Laud Government Commitment
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who joined the President alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other leaders, praised the project as a milestone for Western Kenya’s inclusion in the national development agenda.
“This road will cushion residents from perennial transport challenges, especially during rainy seasons. It will also connect villages, boost trade, and bring growth closer to our communities,” Speaker Wetang’ula said.
Wetang’ula recalled the region’s long-standing calls for improved road infrastructure, noting that the Malava–Navakholo route has been a priority for decades.
“From the days of our late friend Hon. Soita Shitanda to Hon. Malulu Injendi, we have walked this journey together. President Ruto promised to deliver this road — and today, he has come to fulfill that promise,” he said.
The Speaker also urged leaders from Western Kenya to work together to sustain regional unity and development.
“As leaders from this region, we must speak with one political voice and walk together with other Kenyans to bring unity and development to our nation. No one should be left behind,” he added.
Enhancing Healthcare and Skills
During his visit to Malava, President Ruto also inaugurated the new Malava Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), which will provide local students with access to healthcare training and expand the pool of skilled medical professionals serving the region.
The institution, he said, underscores the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access through decentralized training and capacity-building initiatives.
“The new KMTC campus will not only train more health workers but also support our universal health coverage agenda by ensuring that every county has well-trained professionals,” the President said.
Regional Leaders Rally Behind Development
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi described the Malava–Samitsi–Navakholo Road as a strategic investment that would attract investors and strengthen regional integration.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of any thriving economy. This road will enhance mobility, ease business operations, and make Western Kenya an attractive destination for investment,” Mudavadi said.
The event drew an array of regional and national leaders, including COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, Governors Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma) and Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), as well as Members of Parliament from across Western Kenya.
Wetang’ula also called for closer collaboration among the region’s senior political figures — including Mudavadi, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, and other local leaders — to foster unity and coordinated development.
“We shall all move together — Hon. Oparanya, Mudavadi, Papa wa Roma, and our other leaders — to ensure we walk together in one direction for the sake of unity,” he said.
Part of Broader Western Kenya Development Tour
The Malava launch is one of several events under President Ruto’s four-day Western Kenya Development Tour, which includes the commissioning of key projects in health, infrastructure, and energy sectors across Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, and Vihiga counties.
The tour seeks to fast-track the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) in the region, focusing on projects that directly benefit local communities through improved infrastructure, job creation, and enhanced access to services.
Government data shows that Western Kenya, despite its strong agricultural base, has historically faced infrastructure deficits that hinder trade and mobility. The current development drive is intended to reverse that trend by upgrading rural and inter-county roads, investing in market access, and promoting industrial linkages through agro-based value chains.
