The Ministry of Transport has officially announced a new deadline for the completion of the Rironi-Mau Summit road, a key section of the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The move aims to ease traffic congestion along one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors and boost the flow of goods and people along the Northern Corridor.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir revealed on Wednesday, February 11, while appearing before the Senate’s Energy Committee, that the road project would be completed by June 2027.
He assured lawmakers that construction works would intensify starting next month to meet the timeline.
“About the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, starting next month, we will deploy 12 gangs on the CRBC section from Rironi to Gilgil, and another 12 gangs from Gilgil to Mau Summit,” Chirchir said.
He explained that the ministry plans to deploy 12 subcontractors for the Rironi-Gilgil stretch and another 12 for the Gilgil-Mau Summit section under two separate contractors.
The first phase of the project will be handled by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), covering the Rironi to Gilgil section, while Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International will handle the second phase, from Gilgil to Mau Summit.
The dual-contractor approach is expected to accelerate work and ensure adherence to quality standards.
Chirchir further revealed that the stretch from Rironi to Naivasha would be opened to motorists by the end of August 2026, providing relief for commuters and transport operators who frequently face bottlenecks along this critical route.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway, which includes the Rironi-Mau Summit road, forms part of the Northern Corridor linking Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The highway has long experienced heavy congestion, particularly during weekends and public holidays, prompting calls for expansion and dualing. Once completed, the upgraded road is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Nairobi and Nakuru, enhance regional trade, and improve road safety.
The Ministry of Transport’s initiative also addresses longstanding safety concerns along the highway. The current single-carriageway sections have experienced frequent accidents due to overcrowding, poor lane management, and inadequate signage.
The new highway, with dual carriageways and wider lanes, is expected to reduce accidents and improve overall travel efficiency.
Transport experts have welcomed the announcement, emphasizing that timely completion will ease logistical challenges for commuters and freight operators. They, however, caution that effective coordination among multiple contractors will be critical to avoid delays and budget overruns, which have plagued similar projects in the past.
The government’s aggressive strategy to deploy multiple gangs and subcontractors reflects a more hands-on approach to delivering infrastructure projects.
If executed efficiently, motorists can expect a safer, faster, and more reliable travel experience along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway within the next year.
The completion of the Rironi-Mau Summit road not only addresses daily congestion but also strengthens Kenya’s position as a regional transport hub.
By improving the movement of goods from the port of Mombasa to inland markets, the project is expected to stimulate trade, create jobs, and boost the country’s economic growth.
