President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga are scheduled to visit Kisumu on Thursday, May 29, ahead of this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations to be held in Homa Bay County on June 1.
The high-level visit will mark the commissioning of key housing developments in the city. Speaking to the press on Wednesday at Makasembo Grounds, Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga confirmed that the President and the former Prime Minister will jointly commission Phase One of the LAPFUND Housing Project, at Makasembo in Kisumu, and officially hand over keys to buyers, and lay the foundation stone for Phase Two.
“Tomorrow will be a big day. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya William Ruto, together with Hon. Raila Odinga, will be here at Makasembo Grounds to commission Phase One of the project, hand over keys to the new homeowners, and break ground for Phase Two,” said Wanga.
According to Wanga, 50% of Phase One units have already been sold, with one-bedroom units priced from KSh1.8 million. Two-bedroom units have seen a 62% uptake. He also revealed that Phase Two and Three developments will extend to Anderson Estate and Lumumba, under the State Department of Urban Planning.
The city expects the population in the project area to surge to 15,000 residents once completed. Arina and Ondiek estates will also be integrated into the city’s geospatial development plan.
“This area is poised for a major transformation. We expect over 3,000 units in Underson and nearly 2,000 in Lumumba,” Wanga said, highlighting the city’s plan to modernize infrastructure, including walkways, roads, drainage, and sewer systems. The expansion is also expected to merge with Polyview Estate, a privately developed area.
He noted that nearly 40% of Kisumu’s land remains underutilized and emphasized the county’s push for increased construction, development, and payment of land rates to drive economic activity.
In addition to the LAPFUND handover, the President will officiate the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lake Victoria Marina Affordable Housing Project at Kirembe Grounds. The project will stretch towards the Marina waterfront, adding a second key event to the President’s visit.
“Kenya is going urban, and Kisumu must not lag behind. If the future is urban, residents must secure decent housing now while prices are still affordable — starting from KSh1.8 million to KSh5 million,” Wanga urged.
Wanga called on Kisumu residents to warmly welcome the Head of State, noting that Madaraka Day celebrations will bring thousands of visitors to the region. He appealed for peace and discipline, encouraging locals to seize the economic opportunities the event presents.
“As many guests will be spending time in Kisumu before heading to Homa Bay, let’s take this opportunity to grow our local economy,” he concluded.
