KeNHA has already started making expansion plans for the 175-kilometer Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway. This comes after the Cabinet approved its expansion and made notice for the project to begin on June 1, 2025. The Executive directed that the groundbreaking of the road is expected to end the difficult journey to the country’s west. The highway, also known as the Rironi-Mau Summit Road is an essential part of the Northern Corridor.

The corridor is fundamental in connecting Nairobi to western regions of the nations and neighboring countries. These include Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. Furthermore, the road also connects the capital to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The project aims to upgrade the existing 175-kilometer A8 highway from Rironi to Mau Summit. Once completed, it will have a four-lane dual carriageway. “Cabinet directed the finalization of the construction framework and the groundbreaking of the 170km four-lane Rironi-Mau Summit road by June 1, 2025,” noted officials.

Project Summary

Location: Kenya

Length of Road Project: 175 kilometers

Developers: Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

Significance: Promote road development across Kenya’s western region.

Completion Time: June 2027.

The Scope of Implementation on the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway

The Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway is expected to take 24 months to ensure completion by June, 2027. The road’s development is expected to ease to ease transport and travel from Nairobi through Nakuru to Western Kenya. The route has often suffered serious traffic congestion on weekends and during national holidays. Initially, the project was structured as a public private partnership (PPP) with the Rift Valley Highway Limited at its helm. The consortium was responsible for the design and financing of the road project.

Furthermore, they were also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the highway for a 30-year concession period. The consortium had also planned to recoup its investment through toll fees collected from road users. Early 2023, the government terminated the contract with the consortium, especially due to financial implications of the service payment. Moreover, the absence of an alternative route for motorists who did not wish to pay toll fees was also an issue. Following the termination, the government sought new partners to undertake the project. Last year, discussion were held with Chinese investors to explore possibilities of reviving the project under new terms.