The government has released comprehensive details on the proposed construction of two major toll roads: the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit (A8) and the Rironi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha (A8 South).
The disclosure, made through the MyGov newspaper on Tuesday, May 27, outlines ambitious infrastructure upgrades aimed at decongesting one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors, a route notorious for accidents, delays, especially during the festive season, and high operating costs.
Construction of Usahihi Expressway to start in early 2026
Public Private Partnership (PPP) model
According to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the dual projects will be undertaken through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model involving Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer (DBFOMT) components.
The roads, which fall under the strategic Class A category, will span approximately 233 kilometers and will traverse the counties of Kiambu, Nyandarua, and Nakuru.
“The existing roads have been marred by congestion, especially during festive periods and holidays, as well as safety concerns arising from design issues, driver behavior, and climatic conditions,” KeNHA stated.
The Nairobi-Rironi-Mau Summit stretch is particularly significant as it forms part of the Trans-African Highway and the Northern Corridor, linking Kenya to Uganda and facilitating major trade flows across East Africa. The planned dual carriageway will address persistent bottlenecks and road safety challenges.
KeNHA emphasized that the project aligns with the goals of Kenya Vision 2030 and the Medium-Term Plan IV (2023–2027), which prioritize infrastructure development as a pathway to economic transformation and regional integration.
Key outcomes expected from the project include
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Improved connectivity and reduced travel time
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Enhanced safety features such as pedestrian bridges, zebra crossings, and street lighting
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Inclusion of non-motorized transport infrastructure like cycling lanes and walkways
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Construction of roadside service facilities such as bus stops and rest areas
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Installation of drainage systems and traffic management technologies like surveillance cameras and signal systems
Kenyans to pay Sh. 1,398 to use Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit superhighway
Stakeholder engagement, community consultations, and public awareness campaigns will accompany the project’s rollout to ensure social sustainability and mitigate resistance. The initiative will also contribute to job creation and bolster local economies along the corridor.
“This initiative supports the government’s target of constructing 6,000 kilometers of roads and directly contributes to KeNHA’s strategic goal of enhancing road infrastructure that meets stakeholder needs while promoting economic growth and regional trade,” the Authority added.
The projects are expected to bring about a “transformation in mobility, trade, and access to markets,” while attracting increased private sector participation in infrastructure development, an increasingly vital strategy given the country’s fiscal constraints.
According to the disclosure, land where the roads will snake through has already been identified and acquired.
Once completed, motorists who want to use the highway will pay to access just as happens with the Nairobi Expressway, which has toll stations. There is also a proposal to construct the Usahihi Highway, which will run from Nairobi to Mombasa (around 440km); this will also be a toll road.
Everstrong Capital, a US-based infrastructure investment firm, has confirmed that it will begin the construction of the road in 2026. Its construction is estimated at Sh 464 billion.
“The toll rates shall be determined in line with the National Tolling Policy (when approved).
Escalation of toll rates shall be done as per the policy,” the disclosure stated.
NSSF among proponents interested in project
Two proponents have submitted proposals relating to the construction of the two roads (Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit and Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit).
Proponent 1: China Road and Bridge Corporation, Kenya (CRBC) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Consortium
Proponent 2 : Shandong Hi Speed Road & Bridge International Engineering Co., Ltd.
According to KeNHA, the two participants privately initiated the proposals.
MP Ndindi Nyoro against NSSF’s involvement in road project
The move by NSSF to bid for this process has, however, been criticized by a section of local leaders, including the Kiharu MP, Ndindi Nyoro.
“We can play around with everything else, but we cannot afford to play around with the monies contributed by the workers of Kenya. We are forcing NSSF to build roads in Kenya. NSSF, your role and responsibility is to ensure that workers’ money is contributed and optimally invested. The only question NSSF must ask is, when money is invested, how much profit does it generate for the workers? Now, we have seen that there is some recklessness, and we have borrowed too much. We are now forcing NSSF to engage in public-private partnerships, using workers’ money to build roads, claiming they will collect toll fees.
I strongly urge that we do not interfere with the management of funds or attach this issue to the NSSF charter in a way that forces NSSF to act outside its legal mandate.
If an investment opportunity is truly viable, we would see the private sector investing in it. However, because the private sector has conducted research and determined that the returns on these projects are suboptimal, we are now forcing NSSF to invest large sums of workers’ money into massive projects, just so certain individuals can get their cut. Meanwhile, Kenyan workers will be left without returns as their money is misused in ways that do not benefit them,” Nyoro, once an ally of President William Ruto, now turned critic, said.
