NAIROBI, Kenya – Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir’s promise that motorists would be using the dualled Rironi-Naivasha highway by October 30 is facing fresh scrutiny, with the contractor’s December tarmacking target raising questions about whether the government’s deadline will be met.
Chirchir announced on September 10 that the section would be completed and opened to traffic by October 30, saying motorists would be able to travel smoothly along the upgraded route.
But as the deadline approaches, attention has shifted to the difference between opening completed sections to traffic and finishing the roadworks across the entire stretch.
The contractor has previously indicated that tarmacking on the Rironi-Naivasha section is expected to be completed by December 2026, even as construction continues on the wider highway project.
The competing timelines have fuelled public frustration among motorists who have endured traffic snarl-ups along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru corridor and are waiting for the promised relief.
October Deadline Faces December Reality
Chirchir’s September announcement set a firm target for completing the Rironi-Naivasha section, with the government planning to open the upgraded road before moving on with other sections of the wider corridor.
However, a report published by Y News on October 7 documented workers laying the first layers of tarmac near the Ngarariga Interchange. The work showed progress, although it did not establish that the entire section would be ready by October 30.
Project manager Eric Yu had earlier said the contractor expected to complete tarmacking by December, with construction progress reported at about 80 per cent at the time of the August update.
The December target therefore presents a key question: will the government open completed portions to motorists by October 30, or will the entire Rironi-Naivasha section be ready as initially promised?
A clear update from the government, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the contractor would help establish the status of the works and explain any changes to the schedule.
A Major Highway Project Under Pressure
The Rironi-Naivasha section forms part of the wider Rironi-Mau Summit highway expansion, which is being implemented through a partnership involving the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), alongside other contractors handling sections of the corridor.
The broader project covers multiple road sections, including the Rironi-Naivasha-Gilgil corridor and the route linking Rironi, Mai Mahiu and Naivasha. The wider Rironi-Mau Summit highway is targeted for completion by June 2027.
Published reports have cited different overall project valuations, ranging from about Sh170 billion to more than Sh200 billion, depending on the scope described.
Motorists Still Waiting for Traffic Relief
The expansion is intended to increase road capacity, improve safety and reduce congestion along a major transport route connecting Nairobi with the Rift Valley and western Kenya. The corridor is also important for the movement of commercial cargo and passengers.
For motorists, the key measure of progress will be whether the upgraded sections can be used safely and whether traffic delays ease as construction advances.
The deadline debate also highlights the need for precise public updates that distinguish between the percentage of construction completed, the progress of tarmacking and the sections that are actually ready for traffic.
As October 30 approaches, the central question remains whether Chirchir’s promised opening will proceed as announced or whether motorists will have to wait longer for the full benefits of the upgrade.
