Nairobi–Mau Summit Road Works Kick Off Without Deal

President William Ruto on Friday flagged off machinery for the much-awaited Rironi–Mau Summit Highway project, even as the Sh200 billion contract remains under negotiation.

At the launch in Kamandura, Dr Ruto termed the project a “gateway to prosperity, unity, and transformation,” saying it “positions Kenya as a leader in innovative financing, in modern transport, and in public-private partnership (PPP).”

The president called the 175-kilometre road project transformative for regional trade, saying it would “facilitate movement, boost trade, and end decades of traffic gridlock.”

The launch came days after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) revealed that no final contract had been signed, even though PPP Act evaluations were complete.

The notice stated that the authority, together with the PPP Directorate and the PPP Committee, had examined all Project Development Phase reports. 

Despite progress with the preferred bidders, KeNHA stressed that the door remains open to any qualified party. “Any other qualified Private Party with the technical and financial capacity may, within the statutory timelines, submit a competing Privately Initiated Proposal,” the agency said.

The project has been split into two contracts after the full-corridor deal collapsed.

A consortium of the China Road and Bridge Corporation and the National Social Security Fund Board of Trustees will handle the Nairobi–Naivasha–Gilgil and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha sections.

Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering Co., Ltd. (SDRBI), the runner-up from the bidding process, will take charge of the Gilgil–Mau Summit portion.

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The first section of the project covers 81 km between Rironi in Kiambu and Gilgil in Nakuru County, while the dualling of the Rironi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha section stretches 58km.

This segment will cost Sh112 billion and take two years.

The second section of the project, the 94 km Gilgil-Mau Summit road passing through Nakuru City, will be upgraded into a modern dual six-lane carriageway.

The investors will fund and operate the road for 28 years, using tolls to recover costs, a model successfully demonstrated by CRBC on the Nairobi Expressway.

The decision to split the corridor followed failed talks with the CRBC–NSSF consortium, which could not exceed the Chinese outbound investment cap of $1 billion without an internal review. 

SDRBI also indicated it was unable to take up the full 175 km corridor, prompting the Treasury and the PPP Committee to shift to the split arrangement. 

The PPP Committee approved the structure on November 10, saying it met “public interest, feasibility, and affordability” tests.

Despite concerns about future tolls, KeNHA says alternative non-toll routes will be provided.

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