The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced the commencement of rehabilitation works on the Kisumu–Busia highway, a crucial regional transport corridor that has been in disrepair for a long time.
In a statement issued on Thursday, KeNHA responded to growing concerns from road users over the poor state of the highway, confirming that a maintenance contractor had already been onboarded to begin restoration works.
"The Authority has onboarded a maintenance contractor for the aforementioned road section, who will be instructed on the level of service expected and the kind of maintenance to be done on the road," KeNHA stated.
The response came after a road user, Eric Ochombo, shared an inquiry on the route, blaming the situation on massive potholes and lack of consistent maintenance. “Kisumu–Busia road is outright deplorable; the potholes are beyond the usual patchworks. Just this morning, 4 stalled trucks and one road catastrophe. KeNHA, has fuel levy been depleted?” he posed.
The Kisumu–Busia highway forms part of the Northern Corridor, a vital trade route connecting the port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the DRC. It handles significant volumes of cargo traffic daily and is crucial for cross-border trade and regional integration.
Despite its strategic importance, the road has been neglected for years, often hindering smooth traffic flow during certain seasons, with frequent breakdowns, road catastrophes, and delays reported along the stretch.
Local leaders, truck drivers, and business owners have repeatedly called on the government to intervene, citing mounting losses and safety concerns.
KeNHA did not give a specific timeline for the completion of repairs but noted that the contractor will be supervised to ensure adherence to quality and safety standards.
The announcement comes at a time when there is growing public scrutiny over the use of road maintenance funds collected through fuel levies and the need for transparent, timely interventions on critical infrastructure, with county government recently securing a win on their demands to control a section of the levies.
Once complete, the rehabilitation is expected to ease transport to Busia border and beyond, reduce turnaround time for goods, and boost economic activity in western Kenya and the Lake Region.
Meanwhile, last week, KeNHA unveiled the full scope of a proposed 180-kilometre highway that is expected to transform the economic and transport landscape of Western Kenya. The mega infrastructure project will traverse five counties - Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori - and is estimated to cost Ksh70 billion.
According to KeNHA Nyanza Regional Director Julius MakOderoh, the road will be one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the region. It is set to open up parts of the country that are currently underserved, with many roads still in poor condition.
