NAIROBI, Kenya – Workers have begun laying the first layers of tarmac on the Rironi-Naivasha section of the Rironi-Mau Summit Highway as the government races to meet its target of opening part of the upgraded road to motorists later this month.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Director General Luka Kimeli on Tuesday witnessed the laying of the blacktop on the approach to the Ngarariga Interchange during an inspection of ongoing works between Rironi and Naivasha.
The progress marks a major milestone on the long-awaited upgrade of the A8 corridor, which is intended to improve traffic flow and road safety along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru route.
Rironi-Naivasha Section Targeted For October Opening
Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said last month that the Rironi-Naivasha section would be completed and opened to traffic by October 30, allowing motorists to use the upgraded road while construction continues on other sections of the wider corridor.
“In one and a half months to come, the section of Rironi to Naivasha Road of the Rironi-Mau Summit construction will be complete,” Chirchir said.
He said the government would adopt a phased approach, opening completed sections to motorists before the entire Rironi-Mau Summit project is finished.
“After this we go to Naivasha side, that is, Rironi-Mau Mai Mahiu-Naivasha. We’ll open the upper side, that is A8, to traffic, then go to A8 South,” he said.
During Tuesday’s inspection, Kimeli observed workers laying tarmac on the approach to the Ngarariga Interchange, signalling that the project has entered an advanced stage of construction.
Wider Rironi-Mau Summit Project
The Rironi-Naivasha section forms part of the wider Rironi-Mau Summit Highway project, which covers the A8 and A8 South corridors.
The Rironi-Naivasha section is being upgraded to a dual carriageway as part of efforts to increase road capacity and improve connectivity between Nairobi, the Rift Valley and western Kenya.
The wider corridor has for years experienced heavy traffic, particularly around Naivasha, Gilgil and the escarpment, causing delays for passengers and slowing the movement of goods.
The government has therefore adopted a phased construction and opening plan, allowing motorists to begin using completed sections as work continues elsewhere.
Full Corridor Targeted For 2027 Completion
While the Rironi-Naivasha section is targeted for opening this month, the entire Rironi-Mau Summit corridor is expected to take longer to complete.
Chirchir has said the wider project is expected to be completed by June 2027.
The project is expected to improve travel efficiency, enhance road safety and strengthen the movement of passengers and cargo along the Northern Corridor.
For motorists, the ongoing tarmac works at Ngarariga provide a visible sign of progress on a project that has been closely watched because of its potential to ease congestion along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
