175 KM Rironi–Mau Summit dual carriageway to redefine East African connectivity-experts

Spanning 175 kilometres along the vital Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit route, the new highway is poised to reshape regional mobility, enhance safety standards and unlock economic potential across the heart of East Africa.

For decades, the Nairobi–Nakuru highway has carried the weight of East Africa’s trade and traffic, often buckling under pressure.

Congestion, slow-moving trucks, and a succession of blackspots—notably the treacherous Salgaa stretch—have rendered the corridor both unpredictable and dangerous.

A road originally built for lighter traffic now plays host to thousands of vehicles daily, becoming one of the most notorious accident zones in the country.

The new dual carriageway marks a decisive attempt to change that. The expansion to a four-lane divided highway complete with central separation, grade-separated interchanges, service lanes, pedestrian walkways and enhanced lighting ushers in a modern era of road safety.

By reducing risky overtaking, easing traffic flow, improving signage and creating dedicated pedestrian spaces, transport experts anticipate a significant drop in both accident frequency and severity.

Time savings along the route are equally transformative. Motorists travelling between Nairobi, Naivasha, Gilgil, Nakuru and Mau Summit have long endured sluggish traffic—particularly around steep climbs and dense market centres.

With improved capacity and smoother gradients, the upgraded route is expected to shorten travel hours, cut fuel costs and reduce vehicle wear and tear. Commercial transporters stand to gain the most, but families, commuters and long-distance passengers will also experience more reliable journeys.

The highway’s influence runs beyond national borders. As the backbone of the Northern Corridor linking Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and eastern DR Congo, this development strengthens Kenya’s role as a regional logistics hub.

A faster and safer route will not only improve cargo turnaround times but also lower transport costs for neighbouring economies. In practical terms, fresh produce will arrive sooner, exporters will move goods more competitively and importers will benefit from smoother supply chains.

At the local level, the corridor could be a catalyst for new economic growth. Improved access is expected to attract investors to neighbouring towns, stimulating the development of industrial parks, warehouses, fuel depots, agro-processing centres and hospitality facilities.

Farmers across the Rift Valley will transport produce to markets more efficiently, with less spoilage and greater profit. Tourism destinations—from Hell’s Gate to Lake Nakuru National Park—will also enjoy increased visitor traffic thanks to enhanced connectivity.

The dual carriageway’s integration with the Standard Gauge Railway, the Naivasha Inland Container Depot and multiple feeder roads further strengthens Kenya’s commercial positioning.

Taken together, these developments form a more seamless national transport network—one capable of moving goods, people and capital with greater ease than ever before.

As Kenya inaugurates this critical infrastructural artery, the Rironi–Mau Summit expansion is more than a road improvement project: it is a pledge of progress.

A safer passage for travellers. A faster route for trade. A new economic lifeline for communities and countries that depend on it.