Cabinet approves dualling of Rironi-Mau Summit Road from June

President William Ruto chairs the cabinet meeting on March 11, 2025. PHOTO/PCS

The Cabinet has approved the dualling of the 175km Rironi-Mau Summit road, with construction set to begin in June 2025, bringing relief to motorists traveling to Western Kenya.

In a statement issued after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Tuesday, the government announced that the project is expected to be completed by June 2027.

"Cabinet directed the finalization of the construction framework and the groundbreaking of the 170km four-lane Rironi-Mau Summit Road by June 1, 2025," the statement read in part.

However, the Cabinet did not disclose specific details about the financing model or the firms involved in executing the project.

The project will upgrade the existing two-way single carriageway into a four-lane dual carriageway, significantly improving traffic flow.

This upgrade is expected to ease transport and travel between Nairobi and Western Kenya, a corridor that frequently experiences severe traffic congestion, particularly on weekends and national holidays.

"The project, which is set for completion within 24 months with a target date of June 2027, is part of Kenya’s broader infrastructure transformation aimed at enhancing connectivity across the country and the region while driving economic growth," the Cabinet stated.

In December 2023, President Ruto announced that plans were underway to construct a dual carriageway along the Nairobi-Nakuru-Malaba highway, following severe traffic congestion experienced during the festive season.

Speaking on Sunday at AIC Kipkorgot in Uasin Gishu, Ruto acknowledged the infrastructure challenges and assured the public that the government is committed to a long-term solution.

"We had a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program with a French company, but it didn’t materialize. However, we have another alternative. The commitment I want to give you is that next year (2025), we will begin constructing the dual carriageway from Nairobi to Malaba. We are in discussions with various companies to ensure this project eases congestion and enhances transport capability," Ruto said.

During the December travel peak, the National Police Service was forced to deploy additional officers, including a police helicopter, to help manage the traffic crisis along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

The gridlock reignited calls for sustainable infrastructure development, with many urging the government to adopt a long-term solution to recurring congestion problems.

Moses Kuria, President Ruto’s Economic Advisor, emphasized the need for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to expedite the highway expansion.

He cautioned that relying solely on public funds and debt financing would be unsustainable.

"The mess on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway is further proof that we need new approaches to infrastructure development. The Rironi-Mau Summit dualling must be carried out on a PPP basis," Kuria stated.