Gov't announces Ksh.90B Rironi-Mau Summit Road expansion to start in July

The expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit Road into a dual carriageway will commence this July, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced on Thursday.

This follows the government’s finalisation of a public-private partnership (PPP) funding agreement.

Speaking at a burial service in Arimi, Molo, for victims of a recent road accident, Prof. Kindiki confirmed President William Ruto’s directive for contractors to begin work by July 1.

The 170km project, estimated at Ksh.90 billion, aims to upgrade the route to a four-lane dual carriageway, with six lanes in critical sections, and is slated for completion by July 2027.

The Deputy President emphasised that the upgrade—a flagship initiative under President Ruto—will enhance connectivity between Nairobi and western Kenya while addressing frequent deadly accidents on the corridor.

“This transformative project will stimulate the economies of Rift Valley, Nyanza, and Western regions, creating thousands of jobs prioritised for local communities, particularly Nakuru residents,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki also directed engineers from the Ministry of Roads and Transport to urgently assess and redesign accident-prone sections of the Elburgon-Njoro Road, where 12 lives were lost last week.

“We must implement lasting solutions to these blackspots to prevent further tragedies,” he said, while conveying President Ruto’s condolences to bereaved families.

The government further plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to the Uganda border, with phases 2B and 2C scheduled to begin soon.

“This expansion will solidify Kenya’s role as a regional logistics hub,” the Deputy President added.

Concluding his remarks, Prof. Kindiki urged politicians to reject divisive rhetoric. “The era of violent, inflammatory politics is outdated. Kenya must remain united and peaceful, even as we embrace diverse viewpoints,” he asserted.

The Rironi-Mau Summit project marks a significant step in Kenya’s infrastructure development, promising improved safety, economic growth, and regional integration.