The long-awaited expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit Road is set to commence in June after receiving a green light from the Cabinet. In a meeting chaired by President William Ruto, the Cabinet directed the finalization of the construction framework and groundbreaking for the multibillion-shilling project, which has faced delays over the years.
The 170-kilometer road, which falls under the Kenya National Highways Authority (KenHA), will be upgraded from the existing two-way single carriageway to a four-lane dual carriageway. The expansion aims to improve traffic flow along the busy route, which connects Nairobi, Nakuru, and Western Kenya, a corridor notorious for severe congestion, especially during weekends and national holidays.
“The project will upgrade the road from a two-way single carriageway to a four-lane dual carriageway, significantly improving traffic flow. This road development is expected to ease transport and travel from Nairobi through Nakuru to Western Kenya, a route that has long suffered from serious traffic congestion,” stated a brief from the Cabinet Office.
Initially, in 2019, the government proposed to undertake the project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at an estimated cost of $700 million (Ksh 90.3 billion). The scope of the project includes constructing a four-lane dual carriageway, with select sections expanding to six lanes depending on traffic volumes. Additionally, the works will involve strengthening 57.8 km of the A8-South highway between Rironi and Naivasha via Mai Mahiu.
The road, which is part of the northern corridor trade route stretching from Mombasa to East and Central Africa, plays a crucial role in regional trade. The upgrade is expected to enhance economic growth by improving connectivity and reducing travel time for transporters and commuters.
Set for completion within 24 months, the project is expected to be finalized by June 2027. This development aligns with Kenya’s broader infrastructure transformation strategy, aimed at modernizing the country’s road network to facilitate trade and economic growth both locally and regionally.
With the Cabinet’s approval now in place, the project is poised to bring much-needed relief to motorists who have long endured heavy traffic on this critical route.
