KeNHA, KeRRA and KRB get new DGs to drive road projects

The country’s leading road agencies, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) now have substantive Director Generals at the helm.

Making separate announcements, the Board of Directors confirmed the appointment of Eng. Luka Kimaru as the new Director General, while KeRRA and KRB appointed Eng. Jackson Magondu and Judith Otsyul, respectively.

The appointments come in the wake of enhanced road expansion and modernisation programmes by President William Ruto’s administration. President Ruto has identified roads as one of the key pillars of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

For instance, KeNHA is supervising the dualling of the 175-kilometre Rironi-Mau Summit Road, which connects Nairobi and East African Countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The KeNHA Board of Directors expressed confidence that Eng. Kimeli is well placed to lead the Authority during this critical phase of national infrastructure development, citing his long experience in the roads sub-section, spanning 27 years.

Mr Ngumi said the appointment of Eng. Kimeli follows a competitive and transparent recruitment process, conducted in accordance with the Kenya Roads Act, 2007 and relevant applicable public service procedures. He has been serving as the Acting Director General since last year, July.

“Eng. Kimeli brings to this role Twenty-Seven (27) years of distinguished experience in infrastructure development, strategic program delivery, and public sector leadership within the Roads Sub-Sector,” Ms Winfrida Ngumi said on behalf of the board.

“The Board expresses full confidence in Eng. Kimeli’s capacity to steer the Authority towards greater efficiency, accountability, and service excellence in delivering safe, resilient and world-class highway infrastructure that supports national growth and regional integration,” Ms Ngumi added.

At the same time, KeRRA Chairman Anthony Mwaura said Eng. Magondu is a seasoned professional engineer with over 30 years of experience in the roads and infrastructure sector, having risen through the ranks to the top.

“He brings a wealth of experience with over 24 years of post-registration experience in the field of highway and road engineering. He has a proven track record of strategic direction and institutional capacity in advancing the construction of rural roads in the country,” said Mwaura.

For her part, KRB Chairperson Aisha Jumwa described Otsyula as a distinguished transport sector professional with over two decades of senior leadership experience in infrastructure development, strategic programme management and institutional governance.

“She brings a proven track record of delivering transformative initiatives and strengthening public sector institutions to achieve sustainable national development,” she said.

Ms Otsyola becomes the first woman to serve as Director General in the roads sub-sector, a major milestone for the male-dominated sector. “It reflects the Board’s commitment to inclusivity and progressive leadership,” Jumwa stated.

Specifically, President Ruto has announced plans to increase the country’s tarmac roads from the current 20,000 kilometres to 28,000 kilometres in ten years.

“We are already on course, we have mapped out what the areas are and we believe that we can raise the resources to undertake this transformation,” he said during a meeting with diplomats at State House, Nairobi, two weeks ago.

Implemented through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) between China Roads and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Consortium, and Shandong, the Rironi-Mau Summit road is one of the most consequential projects initiated by President Ruto.

President Ruto said that the road project will boost regional trade, modernise transport, create jobs and set Kenya as a regional leader in delivering large-scale infrastructure, once it is completed.

The road is about 175 kilometres and it is expected to be completed in two years. Three days ago, KeNHA announced the temporary closure of a section of highway between Rironi and James Gichuru Road Junction as construction works moved to top gear. 

The Rironi-Mau Summit is a crucial road artery that connects Nairobi and the Port of Mombasa with other East African countries like Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, supporting tourism, agriculture and cross-border business.

Key road projects that Eng. Kimeli will be required Nairobi Western Bypass, Naivasha-Njambini Road Project, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Highway, Kainuk Bridge, Mombasa-Mtwapa-Kilifi Road and the upgrading of Kibwezi-Mutomo-Kitui-Kabati-Migwani Road, among others.

Others are: Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway, Isiolo-Modogashe-Wajir-Elwak-Rhamu-Mandera Road, Busia-Kisumu-Kericho Road, as well as the National Integration and Accessibility Program.