Infrastructure

Chinese Firm, NSSF on Brink of Sh200bn Highway Deal

CRBC-NSSF emerge as preferred bidder for Nairobi-Mau Summit Highway project.

Updated on

October 31, 2025

Ongoing road construction — The project is scheduled for completion by June 2027. (Photo: Courtesy)

Kenya is one step closer to seeing a major upgrade to the Rironi-Mau Summit road after the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) edged ahead in the bidding process.

The firm, working in consortium with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), has emerged as the preferred proponent after the only other contender was eliminated in the government’s latest evaluation.

According to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the consortium’s proposal was approved on October 9 to proceed to the next stage.

“KeNHA approved the recommendation of the evaluation report, which recommended the CRBC and NSSF consortium as the preferred project proponent, subject to its fulfillment of the technical, financial, environmental, social, and legal conditions outlined in the evaluation report,” the authority said in a public notice.

The Rironi-Mau Summit road, which stretches 175 kilometres, is set to be dualled under the proposed plan. Additionally, the 58-kilometre Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha road will undergo rehabilitation.

The project, expected to cost Sh200 billion, will be implemented through a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, which means the private partner will fund, construct, and maintain the road for 30 years, recouping costs through toll revenues ring-fenced for the corridor.

CRBC is no stranger in Kenya. The company built and manages the Standard Gauge Railway and the Nairobi Expressway, the latter operated by its affiliate Moja Expressway.

The 27.5-kilometre toll road, delivered under a similar Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, will remain in CRBC’s hands for three decades. During this period, users continue to pay tolls to cover operational and maintenance costs while allowing the firm to recover its investment.

Earlier attempts to upgrade the Rironi-Mau Summit road had been awarded to a consortium of French firms – the Rift Valley Highway, comprising Vinci Highways SAS, Vinci Concessions SAS, and Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund.

The deal, however, was cancelled over concerns about high toll fees and terms requiring the government to cover financial shortfalls.

Kenya had paid the French firms Sh7 billion to terminate the contract.

President William Ruto recently expressed his ambition to see the project completed by June 2027, just in time for that year’s Madaraka Day celebrations.

If successful, the CRBC-NSSF consortium will deliver a modern highway expected to ease traffic, boost commerce, and provide a model for private sector-led infrastructure in Kenya.

The remaining contenders, Shandong Hi Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering Co and Multiplex Partners, have been left out, marking a clear path forward for the CRBC-NSSF bid.