The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has expressed confidence in the progress of the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway expansion project following an inspection of ongoing construction works along key sections of the corridor.
The KeNHA Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Winfrida Ngumi, inspected the project on Friday, July 10, and received updates on the design and construction progress of the 233-kilometre highway.
According to the authority, the assessment focused on priority sections identified along the corridor based on traffic congestion points and areas requiring urgent intervention.
The project is being implemented through a dual-front construction strategy, with two contractors working from different ends of the highway to accelerate progress.
The approach was adopted after mapping exercises identified major bottlenecks along the route, allowing construction teams to focus on sections with the highest traffic pressure while other works continue simultaneously.
One of the priority areas is the first five-kilometre stretch beginning at Rironi near Kamandura, where the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is expanding the existing road into a four-lane dual carriageway.
Another key section is the 58-kilometre escarpment stretch covering Rironi, Mai Mahiu and Naivasha, where contractors are carrying out major earthworks, hillside cutting and installation of gabion and retaining walls.
The immediate focus on the escarpment section includes the construction of dedicated climbing lanes designed to separate slow-moving heavy trucks from passenger vehicles, improving traffic flow and road safety along the steep terrain.
During the inspection, KeNHA said the Board received detailed updates on construction progress and designs across the priority sections from a team led by the Authority’s Director in charge of Public-Private Partnerships, Eng. Charles Obuon, alongside Development Director Eng. Henry Gakuru.
“The inspection reaffirmed KeNHA’s commitment to delivering quality highway infrastructure that promotes efficient transport, enhances safety, and supports sustainable development,” the authority said.
The Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway expansion is part of the government’s efforts to improve transport connectivity between Nairobi, Central Kenya, the Rift Valley and western regions.
President William Ruto has set a 2027 deadline for completion of the entire highway project, with Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir indicating that the first section is expected to be completed by May 2027.