Last Updated: 23 July 2026
🟢 Project Status
Under Construction
Overall Progress: 15%
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Project Snapshot
| Project Name | Rironi – Mau Summit Road Dualling Project |
|---|---|
| Counties Traversed | Kiambu, Nakuru, Nyandarua |
| Length | 233 km (175 km Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit + 58 km Rironi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha branch) |
| Cost | Ksh.184 billion (USD ~1.4 billion) |
| Contractor | China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) – Rironi to Gilgil; Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International – Gilgil to Mau Summit |
| Implementing Agency | Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) |
| Funding Model | Public-Private Partnership (PPP) – Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain-Transfer (DBFOMT) |
| Construction Started | November 28, 2025 |
| Expected Completion | April – June 2027 |
A 233 km highway project upgrading the A8 from a single carriageway to a four- to six-lane dual carriageway. Delivered as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain-Transfer model. The project is divided into phases: CRBC (with NSSF) handles Rironi–Gilgil and Rironi–Naivasha via Mai Mahiu, while Shandong Hi-Speed handles the 94 km Rironi–Naivasha section
📅 Latest Project Updates
🔹 Update #2 — 23 July 2026
KeNHA confirms steady progress across all three sections (81km, 58km, 94km); PPP model advancing Northern Corridor modernization
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July 16, 2026 – KeNHA Confirms Steady Progress Across All Sections
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) provided a progress update on the ongoing construction of the Rironi to Mau Summit Road, a $1.33 billion (KSh 172 billion) project the government considers a cornerstone of its effort to modernise the Northern Corridor. KeNHA confirmed the project is advancing steadily, with works divided across three distinct sections to speed up delivery. The three sections cover a combined distance of 233 kilometres along the Northern Corridor:
Section 1: 81 kilometres from Rironi through Naivasha to Gilgil (A8 Road)
Section 2: 58 kilometres along the A8 South route from Rironi through Maai Mahiu to Naivasha
Section 3: 94 kilometres from Gilgil through Nakuru to Mau Summit
"Construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit Road Project is progressing steadily, marking a major milestone in the Government's efforts to modernize the Northern Corridor and improve transport efficiency," KeNHA stated on its X account.
The road is being delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, combining government resources with private sector capital and technical expertise. The Northern Corridor serves as a critical artery linking Nairobi to western Kenya and the landlocked countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Authorities have long flagged the stretch as a bottleneck that undermines transport efficiency and road safety.
Once completed, the highway is expected to stimulate broader economic activity, including expanded regional trade, increased private investment along the corridor, and the creation of employment opportunities during and after construction. The project is also viewed as a long-term enabler of Kenya's socio-economic development goals, with improved infrastructure expected to lower the cost of doing business and strengthen Kenya's position as a regional logistics hub. -
July 11, 2026 – KeNHA Board Inspection Reveals 15% and 10% Completion on Two Sections
The KeNHA Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Winfrida Ngumi, inspected the project on Saturday, July 11, 2026, and reviewed the ongoing design and construction work that began in November 2025. KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli said both contractors have made steady progress since construction began and announced that the project is expected to be completed by June 2027.
"On the CRBC section, we are about 15 per cent," Kimeli said. "On the Shandong side, we are still about 10 per cent. But progress is well, as you have heard from our chair, and we hope to finish by June 2027."
The authority expects work to accelerate as more sections become available for construction following the relocation of public utilities and completion of preparatory works. The inspection focused on priority sections of the highway that have long been identified as major traffic bottlenecks along the busy Nairobi-Rift Valley corridor.
KeNHA said contractors are working from opposite ends of the corridor in a dual-front strategy to speed up delivery of the project. One contractor (CRBC) is handling the Rironi-Gilgil section, including the Maai Mahiu link, while the second contractor (Shandong Hi-Speed) is working on the Gilgil-Mau Summit section. The dual-front approach allows construction to progress simultaneously across different sections instead of waiting for one segment to be completed before starting another.
According to KeNHA Board Chairperson Winfrida Ngumi, the authority is working closely with several government agencies to prevent delays that often affect major infrastructure projects:
"We are happy with the progress. We are working very closely with other agencies of government, with Kenya Power, with the water agencies, with the ICT ministry to ensure that there are no bottlenecks and that the project will be delivered to the quality and to the standards that Kenyans expect."
She said coordination with utility providers is helping ensure that the relocation of electricity lines, water infrastructure, and communication networks does not slow construction. Ngumi noted the project is expected to address long-standing traffic congestion and improve safety along the highway:
"We have seen Kenyans suffering on this road. We have seen the traffic situations. We have seen accidents and experienced road safety issues. So this corridor is extremely important because it's going to provide solutions to all these challenges."
The Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit corridor has for years experienced heavy traffic, particularly during weekends and public holidays when thousands of motorists travel to and from the Rift Valley and western Kenya. Long traffic queues, slow-moving trucks, and frequent crashes have made the route one of the country's most congested highways.
The inspection reaffirmed KeNHA's commitment to delivering quality highway infrastructure that promotes efficient transport, enhances safety, and supports sustainable development. -
July 7, 2026 – Shandong Hi-Speed Awarded Phase 2; Toll Rate Set at KSh 8.50/km
KeNHA officially announced that Shandong Hi-Speed Road & Bridge International Engineering Co Ltd (SDRBI) will construct the second phase of the project — the 94-kilometre Gilgil–Nakuru–Mau Summit section. The project will be implemented under a 30-year Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer (DBFOMT) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement.
The project involves the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of approximately 94 kilometres of the A8 Road. The associated interchanges include a viaduct in Nakuru city, bridges, drainage structures, tolling infrastructure, road safety features, and other ancillary facilities required to deliver a safe and efficient highway service.
KeNHA noted that the project will operate as a toll road, setting the rate at KSh 8.50 per kilometre, indicating that motorists will pay KSh 799 for the 94-kilometre stretch.
"The applicable toll fee is KSh 8.50, while any future adjustments will be made in accordance with the project agreement, relevant government approvals, and applicable legal requirements," the disclosure stated.
Roads CS Davis Chirchir stated the government's aim is to deliver the road by April or May 2027. The first section of the highway is expected to be completed by May 2027.
Project benefits anticipated include:
- Increased road safety
- Decreased travel time and vehicle operating costs
- Improved connectivity between Nairobi and the Rift Valley region
- Facilitated trade and tourism
- Job creation during construction and operation
- Encouraged investment and economic growth in the area
Upon the expiration or termination of the 30-year concession, the project assets will be handed over to KeNHA in the condition and quality specified in the project agreement.
The overall project cost is $1.33 billion (KSh 171.9 billion). The upgrade aims to resolve long-standing issues along the Nairobi–Nakuru corridor, where drivers frequently encounter heavy traffic jams.
🔹 Update #1 — 12 June 2026
June 2026: KeNHA Sets KSh 8/km Toll Rate; DP Kindiki Hails Progress; AIIB Funds Mau Summit–Malaba Extension Study
- June 24, 2026 – Government approves Sh8 per kilometre toll charge for Rironi–Gilgil and Rironi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha sections
- June 23, 2026 – KeNHA confirms motorists to pay Sh8 per kilometre toll on Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway upon completion
- June 16, 2026 – DP Kindiki inspects project, describes highway expansion as major milestone in Kenya's infrastructure transformation
- June 12, 2026 – Contractors CRBC and Shandong Hi-Speed mobilize additional teams to meet project deadlines
- June 2, 2026 – Kenya secures AIIB financing for feasibility study of Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba extension, signalling next phase of Northern Corridor upgrade
- May 2026 – President Ruto directs contractors to complete entire highway by April 2027, shortening original 24-month timeline
- March 10, 2026 – Construction advancing; Rironi–Gilgil section slated for completion by mid-2026, full operations expected by April 2027
- December 20, 2025 – President Ruto, driving himself along the highway, promises traffic will drastically ease by December 2026, with critical sections completed ahead of schedule
- December 19, 2025 – Preparatory works begin on dualling after years of stalled plans and controversial contractor switch
- November 28, 2025 – Government officially launches dualling exercise at Kamandura in Kiambu County; President Ruto presides over groundbreaking ceremony
- November 27, 2025 – Project restructured to convert road into four-lane highway to ease chronic congestion and improve safety
- November 25, 2025 – Project split into two sections after CRBC and Shandong cite $1 billion Chinese investment cap; PPP Committee approves split-corridor model
- November 18, 2025 – President Ruto confirms November 28, 2025 as official start date for dualling of 170km Rironi-Naivasha-Mau Summit Road
- November 5, 2025 – President Ruto announces upgrade will begin in November 2025; KeNHA clarifies PPP negotiations still ongoing
- October 28, 2025 – President Ruto reveals he rejected two-lane design, ordered redesign to four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway to accommodate rising traffic
- October 24, 2025 – Reports indicate works on Sh180–194 billion project expected to start before January 2026; KeNHA announces base toll rate of Sh8 per kilometre
- April 2025 – PPP agreement with French consortium Rift Valley Highway Limited terminated due to affordability concerns and financing gaps
- March 2025 – Cabinet approves dualling of Rironi-Mau Summit Road; construction set to begin June 2025 with 24-month completion target
- November 2024 – President Ruto launches construction of long-awaited Rironi–Mau Summit dual carriageway
- October 24, 2024 – President Ruto announces French firms have been asked to vacate; project being handed to new company
- September 2024 – Ruto pursues Rironi-Mau Summit highway deal during China trip, calls it crucial for easing travel of goods and passengers to western Kenya
- September 4, 2024 – President Ruto drops French consortium, courts China for dualling of Nairobi–Malaba highway
- April 2024 – Government formally cancels Sh190 billion contract with French consortium (Vinci Highways, Meridiam, Vinci Concessions)
- January 2023 – Government puts Sh160 billion French-led PPP project on hold
- December 2022 – IFC commits KES 39 billion for Nairobi–Mau Summit Highway construction
- September 2022 – Financiers wait for Ruto\'s nod on Mau Summit road project
- July 2022 – Kenya secures Sh18 billion (US$150 million) AfDB loan for expansion of Rironi-Mau Summit stretch
- July 16, 2022 – African Development Bank approves $150 million for Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway Project
Construction Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | June 2026: KeNHA Sets KSh 8/km Toll Rate; DP Kindiki Hails Progress; AIIB Funds Mau Summit–Malaba Extension Study ✅ |
| Jul 2026 | KeNHA confirms steady progress across all three sections (81km, 58km, 94km); PPP model advancing Northern Corridor modernization ✅ |