NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has approved the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit road into a four-lane dual carriageway, with construction set to commence in June 2025.
The 170km project is expected to ease congestion along the key corridor linking Nairobi to Western Kenya.
A statement issued after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Tuesday confirmed that the project is scheduled for completion by June 2027.
“Cabinet directed the finalization of the construction framework and the groundbreaking of the 170km four-lane Rironi-Mau Summit Road by June 1, 2025,” the statement read in part.
However, the government did not provide details on the financing model or the firms that will undertake the project, leaving questions about whether it will be state-funded or executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
The upgrade will transform the existing single carriageway into a dual carriageway, addressing the persistent traffic bottlenecks on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.
The stretch, which serves as the main gateway to Rift Valley and Western Kenya, often experiences severe congestion, particularly during weekends and national holidays.
The project aligns with the government’s broader infrastructure push to enhance connectivity and drive economic growth.
“The project, which is set for completion within 24 months, is part of Kenya’s broader infrastructure transformation aimed at enhancing connectivity across the country and the region,” the Cabinet statement noted.
The planned dualling of the highway follows President Ruto’s December 2023 announcement that the government was exploring solutions to the chronic congestion along the route.
At the time, he revealed that an initial PPP arrangement with a French firm had fallen through, but alternative options were being pursued.
Speaking on Sunday at AIC Kipkorgot in Uasin Gishu, Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to the project.
“The commitment I want to give you is that next year (2025), we will begin constructing the dual carriageway from Nairobi to Malaba. We are in discussions with various companies to ensure this project eases congestion and enhances transport capability,” he said.
The worsening gridlock on the highway, particularly during peak travel seasons, has sparked calls for long-term infrastructure solutions.
During last December’s holiday rush, authorities deployed additional police officers and a helicopter to manage the traffic snarl-up along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.
Moses Kuria, President Ruto’s economic advisor, has been vocal about the need for a PPP model to finance the expansion, warning that relying on public funds alone would be unsustainable.
“The mess on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway is further proof that we need new approaches to infrastructure development. The Rironi-Mau Summit dualling must be carried out on a PPP basis,” Kuria stated.
