Transport CS James Macharia revealed plans for the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway at a Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on June 3, 2021.
The ministry's multi-billion plan for the 233-kilometre road seeks to transform the livelihoods of Kenyans living along the corridor.
CS Macharia mentioned that the expansion of the highway, estimated to cost KSh160 billion of private capital, will start in September 2021.
"It will improve connectivity between Central / Eastern Kenya, and the Rift Valley / Western Kenya regions, and reduce congestion on the Northern Corridor." asserted CS Macharia.
This project also includes the expansion of the Rironi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha road, an essential part of the most important transport corridor in Kenya known as the Northern Corridor that originates from Mombasa to Malaba.
"The highway's expansion is expected to turn into a 4-lane dual carriageway using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model," added the Cabinet Secretary.
In late 2020, French association made up of Vinci Highways SAS, Meridian Infrastructure Africa Fund and Vinci Concessions SAS were granted the PPP contract; an agreement that enables private sectors to participate in governmental activities through contractual agreements such as financing, construction and development.
The expansion also aims to reduce travel times and vehicle operating costs and also provide high levels of services (ambulatory/paramedic services, towing, clearing of accident scenes).
It also plans to stimulate economic activity sustainably, create employment opportunities and allow the government to channel its resources to other priority projects as construction is financed with private funds such as loans and equity.
The project will include also include tolling to pave way for a more connected and competitive country estimated at proposed tariff of Ksh 6 per kilometre(km)/passenger car unit (PCU) .
This will be achieved through the development and maintenance of the national road network, benefit from quality highway and saving time and costs.
