By The Weekly Vision Reporter
The dualling of the 170-kilometre Rironi–Naivasha–Mau Summit Road will begin on 28 November, President William Ruto has announced. Speaking when he hosted the President of Met China Communications Construction Company, Zhang Bingman, at State House Nairobi, Ruto said the KSh 90 billion project will mark a major milestone for this critical part of the Northern Corridor between Nairobi and Western Kenya, facilitating movement, boosting trade, and bringing an end to decades of agonising traffic congestion, delays, and fatal accidents.
Met China Communications Construction Company’s subsidiary, China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC), will undertake the construction under a consortium that also includes the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Board of Trustees. Ruto added that on the same day, the government will also break ground for the 58km dualling of the Rironi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha Road, opening new frontiers on a highway that serves the southern region of the country.
“Infrastructure development in our country has made a huge leap forward courtesy of the strong and deep relations between Kenya and China, and Chinese companies. Consequently, we have been able to implement key flagship projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi Expressway, and many roads. Major infrastructure projects by our partners are underway, including the Talanta Sports City, 21 other stadia, the Bomas Convention Centre, and the Lamu–Ijara–Garissa Road,” he said.
Additionally, he noted, several key projects are in the pipeline, such as the extension of the railway to Kisumu and Malaba and the construction of the Galana Dam in Tana River County. Ruto’s announcement brings clarity to the award of the contract after Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Acting Director-General Luka Kimeli stated on 5 November that the National Treasury’s Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate had not approved the tender but had only granted concurrence for negotiations with the consortium to commence.
“This is the process that is currently ongoing. The Authority would like to reiterate that at every stage of implementation of this project, there shall be high levels of transparency and accountability. All progress updates and decisions are being disclosed publicly in accordance with the PPP Act, Cap 430, and the National Treasury Circular dated 24 April 2025 on Public Disclosure of Privately Initiated Proposals (PIPs),” he said.
The project encompasses approximately 175 kilometres of the A8 Road (Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit) and 58 kilometres of the A8 South Road (Rironi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha). Upon completion, the upgraded highways are expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Nairobi, Central Kenya, the Rift Valley, and Western Kenya, substantially reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs.
Kimeli said the proposed National Tolling Policy (2025) provides a framework for applying tolls to fund the development, maintenance, and rehabilitation of key road corridors. The policy stipulates that tolling will apply to new or improved roads carrying high volumes of passenger and freight traffic, particularly on corridors vital to trade and connectivity, a criterion that this project fully meets. According to the KeNHA boss, the policy ensures that tolling remains transparent, interoperable, fair, and equitable.
“In compliance with Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010), which mandates the government to conduct public participation in the formulation of public policy, the proposed National Tolling Policy (2025) was subjected to extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders and the public between June 2024 and March 2025. This proposed policy is still under development and can be accessed via the Ministry of Roads and Transport website. In this regard, the Government of Kenya, through KeNHA, intends to implement this project under a tolling model.”
Kimeli added that road users will be required to pay toll fees determined through an approved tariff framework, with rates regulated to ensure affordability, transparency, and sustainability, while enabling the private partner to recover investment and maintenance costs during the concession period.
However, he revealed that KeNHA will map out available alternative roads from Rironi to Mau Summit, where feasible, for public use by those who may opt not to pay to use the toll road.
“It is, however, imperative to note that the usage of the toll road shall be cheaper as there shall be resultant savings in travel time, vehicle operating costs, and safety. KeNHA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with the PPP Act, Cap 430, throughout all stages of this project’s implementation. Further, the public should be assured that the Authority will ensure their interests are accommodated regarding the structure, intent, and safeguards of the project,” he said.
“The Authority therefore assures the public that the project will be executed in a manner that upholds public interest, promotes economic efficiency, and delivers safe, reliable, and sustainable road infrastructure for present and future generations.”
