Billions of shillings are being invested in development projects across Migori County, with major interventions targeting electricity, roads, water, healthcare, education, agriculture, housing and skills development. The projects, being implemented by various government agencies in partnership with other institutions, are aimed at improving public infrastructure, expanding access to essential services and supporting economic activity across the county.
According to information from the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), additional resources are expected to support ongoing and new projects as the government expands its development programme in Migori.
Sh1.4 Billion Electricity Project Commissioned
Among the major projects commissioned during President William Ruto’s tour of the county were the 28-kilometre, 132kV Awendo-Isebania transmission line and Masaba Substation in Kuria West. Implemented by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) at a cost of Sh1.4 billion, the project is expected to increase electricity transfer capacity, shorten distribution distances and reduce power interruptions in the region.
The Masaba Substation, an extension of the existing Awendo Substation, will serve Kuria and surrounding towns and is expected to increase power supply in the Kuria-Migori area by about 25 per cent. The new infrastructure is expected to support households, businesses and institutions, including the South Nyanza Sugar Company, Getonyanya Sweet Potato Factory, Migori County Referral Hospital and the Isebania One-Stop Border Post. The government also says 82,000 households in Migori have been connected to electricity since 2023, with a target of reaching 100,000 households by the end of 2027.
Roads Drive Economic Connectivity
Road infrastructure remains another major component of development spending in the county. PDU Director for Migori, Homa Bay and Kisii counties Josiah Kodjo said more than Sh100 billion had been spent on road projects in the wider region, covering new construction, upgrading and maintenance. The approximately 86-kilometre Isebania-Kisii section of the A1 road is about 98 per cent complete, having received more than Sh11 billion in funding from the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank.
The road forms part of the A1 International Trunk Road and the Northern Corridor, providing an important transport link between Kenya and Tanzania and connecting onward to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. The project has also incorporated about 82 kilometres of feeder roads, improving access between rural communities, markets and other economic centres.
Other major projects include the 41-kilometre Masara-Sori Road, constructed at a cost of more than Sh1.5 billion, which is expected to improve transportation of fish from production areas to markets. Additional projects include the Isebania-Ikerege-Lolgorian Road, Riosiri-Moi University-Ogwedhi-Godjope Road and Motemorabu-Subakuria-Masaba Road.
President Ruto also commissioned the Posta-Nyarongi Road, Stella-Sibuoche-Gogo Falls Road and Kanyawanga-Kwoyo-Dede Road, while construction of the Nyarobiro-Taranganya Road was launched. The President further announced that the damaged Migori Bridge would be completed within one month following the release of more than Sh120 million to the contractor.
Water and Housing Projects
Affordable housing projects are also ongoing in Awendo, Uriri, Suna East, Suna West and the Kuria region as part of the government’s housing programme. In the water sector, the Migori and Isebania water supply projects have received more than Sh5 billion for construction, expansion and improvement of water infrastructure.
However, residents in Migori, Isebania, Kehancha and Uriri continue to experience water shortages, with challenges facing local water distribution companies affecting service delivery. The Awendo Town Water Supply System, developed at a cost of nearly Sh1 billion through a partnership between Kenya and South Korea’s Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is also being considered for revival after failing to operate as expected.
Investment in TVET and Youth Skills
Education and skills development form another component of the government’s development programme in Migori. Alongside implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum, the government has continued investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to expand access to practical and technical skills. In Migori County, government investment has supported TVET institutions in Mabera, Kehancha, Kakrao, Uriri and Siruti.
The institutions are expected to provide young people with practical skills that can support employment, entrepreneurship and self-employment in sectors relevant to the local and national economy. The expansion of TVET infrastructure is particularly significant in a county where agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, construction and other economic activities require a workforce with practical technical competencies.
Youth and Agriculture Programmes
The government is also supporting farmers through subsidised agricultural inputs, including fertiliser and certified seeds. The fertiliser subsidy has reduced the price of a 50-kilogramme bag from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500 and subsequently to Sh2,000, while the price of a two-kilogramme packet of maize seed has fallen from Sh900 to Sh300. Youth empowerment is being pursued through programmes such as NYOTA, which provides young people with opportunities in entrepreneurship, skills development and income-generating activities.
These interventions are intended to complement infrastructure investments by expanding economic opportunities for young people and other groups across the county.
Healthcare and Social Protection
Healthcare investments include collaboration between the national and county governments in strengthening public health services and supporting community health personnel. Social protection programmes are also benefiting older residents. Among the beneficiaries is 78-year-old Benter Akello from Nyangubo village in Oruba Ward, who said the Sh6,000 stipend received every three months has helped her meet basic needs.
The range of projects and programmes underway in Migori reflects a multi-sector approach to development, combining physical infrastructure with investments in education, skills, healthcare, agriculture and social protection. For young people in particular, the expansion of TVET institutions and youth empowerment programmes offers pathways to acquire practical skills and participate in emerging economic opportunities as infrastructure and productive sectors expand across the county.