NAIROBI, Kenya — Construction of the long-awaited Rironi–Mau Summit Highway has entered an active build phase, with 25 kilometres now under construction, the Ministry of Transport has confirmed, marking a major step in Kenya’s most expensive road project to date.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir stated on Saturday, January 10, that two international contractors had fully mobilized on multiple sections of the corridor under the Sh170 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
“Today, I inspected the ongoing construction works along the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway. These are just part of the initial works programme. I expect work to ramp up in more sites along the way in the coming days,” Chirchir said.
According to the ministry, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is executing 5km at Rironi and another 5km at Gilgil, while Shandong Construction Company has begun works on 10km at Kariandusi and 5km at Mau Summit.
Chirchir said he was satisfied with the contractors’ early performance.
“I expressed my satisfaction with the project’s progress and commended the contractors for their commendable pace of work and swift mobilisation on site, noting the positive momentum in the delivery of this critical infrastructure project,” he added.
Kenya’s biggest PPP road
President William Ruto officially launched the project on November 28, 2025, positioning it as a flagship investment under the government’s push to shift large-scale infrastructure from debt financing to locally backed PPP models.
The highway comprises two major corridors:
- Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Road (175km)
- Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha Road (58km)
Both will be upgraded into multi-lane dual carriageways equipped with interchanges, dedicated truck lanes, pedestrian bridges, and intelligent transport systems.
Once completed in 2028, the corridor will replace what is currently Kenya’s most congested and accident-prone highway, which handles more than 20,000 vehicles daily and serves as the main transit route to Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Economic and governance stakes
The project sits at the heart of Kenya’s regional trade strategy under the Northern Corridor Transit Agreement and the East African Community Common Market, where transport efficiency directly affects export competitiveness.
Under the PPP model, investors will recover costs through tolling, a structure that has sparked debate among road users and civil society groups concerned about affordability and public accountability.
Transport economists say the project will test whether Kenya’s PPP framework — established under the Public Private Partnerships Act, 2021 — can deliver value without burdening motorists.
Jobs, safety, and trade
Chirchir said the dualling of the road would generate thousands of jobs and transform Western Kenya’s economy.
“The dualling of the road is very critical as it aims to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and facilitate the movement of goods and passengers between Nairobi, Nakuru, Western Kenya, and our East African neighbours, thereby promoting regional integration and boosting trade,” he said.
With 25km now under active construction, the government is under pressure to maintain momentum, manage land acquisition disputes, and enforce contract transparency — lessons drawn from past mega-projects that stalled due to financing and governance failures.
