Kenya’s government has approved the dualing of the $286 million Kiambu road project in a bid to ease traffic congestion. Furthermore, the project aims to improve mobility between Nairobi and Kiambu counties. According to a Cabinet brief released on Tuesday, the project will expand the existing two-lane highway. Once the project is done, the road will be a dual carriageway completed with bypasses, loops, and access roads. The road will be designed to increase capacity and reduce travel times. Cabinet said the upgraded road will also feature non-motorized transport lanes and commuter facilities to enhance safety.
It will also enhance accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. “The corridor, serving Muthaiga, Runda, Ridgeways, and Kiambu Town, currently experiences chronic traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours,” the statement noted. The project is part of the government’s broader effort to modernize Nairobi’s metropolitan transport network. It is in line with Kenya Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on infrastructure and mobility. The road project also compliments the Nakuru-Nairobi road project that is expected to ease traffic and congestion and the massive $1.5 billion Rironi-Mau Summit Highway project—marking China’s return to major East African infrastructure. It will also facilitate mobility and ease of transport across the region.
Project Factsheet
Significance:
• A $286 million project to dual the Kiambu Road corridor and ease chronic traffic congestion.
• Supports mobility between Nairobi and Kiambu counties, serving areas such as Muthaiga, Runda, Ridgeways, and Kiambu Town.
• Part of Kenya’s broader transport modernization under Vision 2030 and UN SDGs.
Key Infrastructure:
• Expansion of the current two-lane highway into a dual carriageway with bypasses, loops, and access roads.
• Installation of six pedestrian footbridges along the corridor.
• Designed to increase road capacity and reduce travel times.
Developer/Implementation:
• Implemented under the Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) model guided by the FIDIC Silver Book.
• The project aims to enhance traffic flow around Kiambu Road and the eastern Nairobi Metropolitan area
Expected Impact:
• Improved connectivity between Nairobi’s northern suburbs and Kiambu County.
• Enhanced safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
The Significance of Kiambu Road Dualing Project
Once complete, the Kiambu road dualing project is expected to ease movement between the capital and Kiambu. The road will boost economic connectivity and improve the commuting experience for thousands of residents. Furthermore, many use the route daily and rely on it. The Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi corridor is one of the busiest routes connecting Nairobi’s northern suburbs with Kiambu County. The area is a rapidly growing residential and commercial area. In July, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said the project would significantly improve traffic flow along the eastern part of the Nairobi Metropolitan area. It targets key corridors, including parts of Kiambu Road and the Thika Superhighway.
“The project will also improve the level of service and safety for road users and enhance accessibility through service roads and non-motorized transport facilities,” KeNHA stated. The works will be undertaken under the Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) model, guided by the FIDIC Silver Book. It is a standard international contract framework designed to give the employer cost and time certainty by placing greater performance responsibility on the contractor. KeNHA further noted that six pedestrian footbridges will be installed along the route to enhance safety for residents and commuters.
