President William Ruto has announced a landmark infrastructure programme aimed at modernising the road network in the country.
This includes the dualing of 2,500 highways and tarmacking of 28,000 kilometres of roads over the next 10 years.
Speaking during the State of the Nation Address in Parliament, Ruto said the expansion of the transport and logistics network is critical to Kenya’s economic growth and regional competitiveness.
He cited Japan’s post-war road expansion as a model, noting that strategic investment in transport infrastructure can transform a nation’s fortunes.
“History teaches us that nations rise on the strength of transport and logistics. Japan’s post-war revival, enabled by strategic road expansion, is a clear example: From only 2,000 roads, they constructed over a million kilometres of paved roads in seven decades, while Kenya has constructed just 22,000 km, over a relatively similar period,” he said.
To kickstart the programme, the President will next week launch the eagerly-awaited dualing of the 170km Rironi-Naivasha-Nakuru-Mau Summit road.
On the same day, he said, he will also break ground for the dualing of the 58km Rironi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha road.
“The gridlock that paralyses these roads every day, especially on weekends and holidays, will soon be history,” Ruto said.
The roads earmarked for dualing include: Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi, Machakos Junction-Mariakani, Mau Summit-Kericho-Kisumu, Kisumu-Busia, Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba, Athi River-Namanga, Karatina-Nanyuki-Isiolo and Makutano-Embu-Meru-Maua.
Others are Mtwapa-Malindi, Mombasa-Lunga Lunga, Kericho-Kisii-Migori-Isebania, Nakuru-Nyahururu-Karatina, Kisii-Oyugis-Ahero, the Northern Bypass, James Gichuru Road, Bomas-Karen-Ngong, Bomas-Ongata Rongai-Kiserian, Ngong-Isinya, and Naivasha-Kikuyu.
The President also highlighted plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu and eventually to Malaba.
The works will begin in January 2026, as part of a broader effort to strengthen transport and logistics infrastructure nationwide, he said.
Ruto emphasised that the road expansion programme will not only reduce congestion and improve travel times but also stimulate trade, create jobs, and facilitate access to markets for farmers and businesses.
He also announced that public-private partnerships will be leveraged to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Mombasa and Lamu ports, while resolving operational challenges facing Kenya Airways by 2026.
