The Rironi–Mau Summit Highway project continues to advance along Kenya’s Northern Corridor as construction activities gain momentum on key sections of the route. The approximately $2 billion highway development aims to expand capacity between Nairobi and Mau Summit, improve road safety, reduce congestion, and support regional trade. Moreover, the project forms a critical component of Kenya’s strategy to modernize transport infrastructure linking the Port of Mombasa to East and Central African markets.
The project also complements the proposed Mau Summit Highway Upgrade between Mau Summit, Eldoret, and Malaba, for which Kenya recently launched feasibility studies. Together, the two developments are expected to create a continuous high-capacity corridor connecting Nairobi to the Uganda border and beyond.
Current Status Update (June 2026)
As of June 2026, construction works are actively progressing along the corridor following the mobilization of additional contractor teams to accelerate delivery. Treasury and PPP Committee officials recently conducted site inspections and confirmed ongoing earthworks, excavation activities, spoil hauling operations, and fill-layer processing works. The government has directed contractors to increase resources on site to maintain construction schedules.
Earlier in 2026, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed that the Rironi–Naivasha section would open to traffic in August 2026 as part of a phased implementation strategy. Construction is continuing simultaneously on the remaining sections toward Gilgil and Mau Summit. Government projections indicate that the entire corridor could reach completion by June 2027 if current progress is maintained.
The highway expansion has been divided into multiple packages. The Nairobi–Naivasha–Gilgil and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha sections are being undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in partnership with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), while Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International is delivering the Gilgil–Mau Summit section.
Once completed, the upgraded corridor will significantly reduce travel times between Nairobi and western Kenya. In addition, the project will improve freight efficiency along the Northern Corridor, which handles a substantial share of cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Rironi–Mau Summit Highway project represents the first major phase of a broader corridor modernization strategy. Meanwhile, Kenya has launched feasibility studies for the proposed Mau Summit Highway Upgrade, which will extend capacity improvements from Mau Summit through Eldoret to Malaba at the Uganda border.
The two projects are expected to function as a unified logistics corridor that will strengthen regional trade, enhance road safety, and improve transport efficiency across East Africa.
The Rironi–Mau Summit Highway reflects Kenya’s broader investment in modern expressways such as the Nairobi-Thika Expressway, set to start construction in September 2026, will ease congestion and improve mobility across Nairobi’s northern and western corridors.
Economic and Social Impact
The highway upgrade is expected to reduce travel times, enhance road safety, and create employment during construction. Improved connectivity will stimulate economic activity along the corridor and strengthen freight transport efficiency across the Northern Corridor.
Rironi-Mau Summit Highway Construction Commencement and Completion Date
“The highway project is expected to start in August.We have come to an agreement with the contractors to speed up the project and finish it by the year 2027. However, if not, they should have done a substantial portion of the project of it by that time,” he said.
Also read: Kenya’s 170-Kilometer Nakuru-Nairobi Highway Construction to Commence in July
The President made these remarks at an event in which he hosted a delegation of leaders from Nakuru County at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday.
The attendees of the event included Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, and other leaders.
Number of Lanes on the Highway
President Ruto elaborated that the Rironi-Mau Summit Road will consist of four lanes from Rironi to Naivasha town. Additionally, it will consist of improvements on the Maai Mahiu-Naivasha road.
Also read: Kenya’s €1.3 Billion Nairobi-Nakuru Dual-Carriageway Deal to be Awarded to a Chinese Contractor
Lastly, the road will eventually expand to six lanes from Naivasha town to Nakuru City. This is in order to adequately accommodate the high volume of traffic on this route.
Also read: Kenya to Secure Multi-Billion Loan for the Construction of the 124-kilometre Kenya-Tanzania Road
Project Fact Sheet
Project Name: Rironi–Mau Summit Highway Project
Location: Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru and adjacent counties, Kenya
Project Cost: Approximately US$2 billion
Road Length: Approximately 175 km
Road Type: Dual carriageway highway expansion
Project Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
Current Status: Under construction (June 2026)
Construction Start: 2026
Expected Completion: June 2027
First Operational Section: Rironi–Naivasha (scheduled August 2026)
Number of Lanes:
- Four lanes between Rironi and Naivasha
- Six lanes on selected high-traffic sections toward Nakuru
Key Components:
- New dual carriageway sections
- Grade-separated interchanges
- Improved drainage systems
- Intelligent transport infrastructure
- Road safety improvements
- Toll-road facilities
Primary Objective:
- Reduce congestion
- Improve freight movement
- Enhance regional trade connectivity
- Improve road safety
Economic Importance:
- Part of the Northern Corridor
- Connects Nairobi to western Kenya and regional markets
Project Team
Project Owner: Government of Kenya
Contracting Authority: Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)
PPP Coordinating Agency: PPP Directorate, National Treasury
Project Delivery Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
Lead Government Ministry: Ministry of Roads and Transport
Section Contractor (Nairobi–Naivasha–Gilgil): China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC)
Investment Partner: National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
Section Contractor (Gilgil–Mau Summit): Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International (SDRBI)
Oversight Agencies:
- National Treasury
- PPP Committee
- Kenya National Highways Authority
Key Stakeholders:
- County Governments along the corridor
- Freight and logistics operators
- Regional trade partners
- Local communities
Previous PPP Consortium (Agreement Terminated):
- Vinci Highways SAS
- Vinci Concessions SAS
- Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund
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