The Kenya National Highways Authority has announced a major milestone on one of the country’s most anticipated road projects, with the Rironi-Mau Summit Expressway now 25 percent complete.
In an update shared this week, KeNHA said construction is on track and flagged two key timelines: the Rironi to Naivasha section is targeted for completion by August 2026, while full dualling of the entire corridor is projected for April 2027.
The announcement has been met with optimism by motorists, transporters, and residents along the Northern Corridor, where traffic congestion and accidents have long been a challenge. A graphic accompanying the update described the project as “The Northern Corridor Reborn,” with the KSh200 billion expressway highlighted as a game-changer for trade and travel between Nairobi and Western Kenya.
The Rironi-Mau Summit Expressway is designed to transform the existing single carriageway into a modern dual carriageway with expressway features. At 25 percent completion, KeNHA says key activities including earthworks, drainage, and bridge works are well underway across several sections.
Officials note that reaching a quarter of the way through construction is significant because it signals that the project has moved past early mobilization and land acquisition hurdles into full-scale works.
“The progress we are seeing reflects commitment from all stakeholders to deliver this road on time,” a KeNHA official stated. “We are prioritizing quality while also keeping to the timelines we have set with our contractors.”
The photo shared with the update shows a long queue of vehicles on the current road — a daily reality for thousands of commuters and truck drivers. The new expressway is expected to ease that pressure dramatically.
KeNHA outlined two immediate targets for the project:
Rironi to Naivasha Section – August 2026
This 60-kilometer stretch is one of the busiest and most accident-prone sections of the highway. Completing it first will provide immediate relief to motorists traveling between Nairobi, Limuru, Naivasha and beyond. The section is also critical for flower exporters and businesses in Naivasha’s growing industrial zone.
Full Dualling to Mau Summit – April 2027
The entire Rironi-Mau Summit stretch spans approximately 175 kilometers. Once fully dualled, it will connect to the broader Northern Corridor that links Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Eastern DRC. The April 2027 deadline aligns with expectations that the road will be ready to support increased trade ahead of future election cycles and regional integration goals.
The Rironi-Mau Summit road forms part of the Northern Corridor, East Africa’s busiest trade route. Currently, the single carriageway creates bottlenecks, especially around Limuru, Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, Nakuru and Salgaa — areas notorious for traffic jams and fatal accidents.
Transporters say a single trip from Nairobi to Kisumu can take 8 to 10 hours on a good day, and much longer during peak periods or after accidents. The expressway is expected to cut travel time significantly while improving safety through features like service lanes, pedestrian crossings, interchanges, and dedicated truck lanes.
“This is not just an asphalt project,” said a logistics manager in Nakuru. “It’s about moving goods faster, saving fuel, reducing accidents, and making our region more competitive. When the road is done, business will be different.”
The KSh200 billion investment is also expected to spur real estate, tourism, and agriculture. Towns along the route such as Limuru, Naivasha, Gilgil, Nakuru and Eldama Ravine are already seeing increased interest from investors anticipating better connectivity.
One of the biggest drivers behind the project is safety. The current road records hundreds of accidents each year, many of them involving overtaking on a single lane. Black spots like Salgaa and Kinungi have become known for tragic crashes.
KeNHA says these features will make the corridor safer for private motorists, PSV operators, boda boda riders, and pedestrians alike.
Beyond transport, the expressway is creating jobs. Thousands of Kenyans are employed directly in construction, while others benefit indirectly through supply of materials, food services, and transport.
Local leaders have also urged contractors to prioritize local labor and suppliers. In Naivasha and Nakuru, youth groups have been engaged in roadside maintenance and support services.
Economists project that once complete, the road will lower the cost of doing business by reducing vehicle wear and tear, fuel consumption, and delivery times. For farmers in the Rift Valley, it means faster movement of milk, potatoes, maize and horticultural produce to Nairobi and the port of Mombasa.
Projects of this scale are not without challenges. KeNHA acknowledged that weather, land compensation issues, and coordination with utilities have caused delays in some sections. However, the authority says mitigation measures are in place to keep the project on schedule.
The authority has also promised regular public updates and stakeholder engagement to ensure communities along the route are informed about diversions, timelines, and safety measures during construction.
Environmental concerns are being addressed through re-afforestation programs and drainage designs aimed at protecting water sources, particularly around the Mau Forest catchment area.
With just under two years to the full completion target, all eyes are now on how the contractors manage the remaining 75 percent of works. KeNHA says it is conducting regular inspections to ensure standards are met and that the expressway delivers long-term value.
The government has positioned the project as part of a broader infrastructure agenda to decongest Nairobi, open up the Western region, and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional logistics hub.
When complete, the Rironi-Mau Summit Expressway will stand as one of the largest road investments in Kenya’s history. For now, the 25 percent milestone offers a glimpse of what’s to come: a safer, faster, and more efficient corridor that connects people, markets, and opportunities.
As KeNHA put it: “This is the Northern Corridor Reborn.” And for millions of Kenyans who use the road daily, that rebirth cannot come soon enough.
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