Hopes Rise as Works on Sh16.7 Billion Mamboleo-Miwani Road Resume

Heavy machinery and contractors have returned to the Mamboleo-Miwani-Chemelil-Muhoroni road, signaling the end of a five-year stalemate that has crippled transport within Kenya’s western sugar belt. The Sh16.7 billion project, which covers 44 kilometres, had been dormant since 2021 due to severe funding shortfalls.

Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Nyanza regional director, Eng Alfred Ouko, confirmed the revival during a site inspection at Mamboleo. He noted that the financial bottlenecks that previously halted the works have been resolved through the securitisation of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund.

The project is currently divided into three distinct lots to manage technical risks and accelerate the construction pace. The first lot, spanning 12.6 kilometres from Mamboleo to Miwani, is being handled by H Young. This section includes a 6.5-kilometre dual carriageway and currently stands at 24 per cent completion.

Sinohydro is overseeing the second lot, a 20-kilometre stretch from Miwani to Chemelil, which has reached 34 per cent progress. The final section, connecting Chemelil to Muhoroni and Kipsitet, is being managed by KTM. Work on this third lot is estimated to be 22 per cent complete.

This corridor is a vital artery for the regional economy, providing direct access to the Miwani, Chemelil, and Muhoroni sugar factories. For years, the dilapidated state of the road forced motorists to take long detours, significantly increasing the cost of transporting agricultural produce and consumer goods.

Residents have long complained about the thick dust and deep gulleys that characterized the abandoned site. With the contractors back on the ground, KeNHA expects the entire 44-kilometre stretch to be fully motorable and completed by June 2027.

The use of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund to back project financing is part of a broader strategy by the government to clear pending bills in the infrastructure sector. President Ruto has previously emphasized that such innovative financing models are necessary to restart stalled heritage projects across the country.

The road also serves as a critical link between Kisumu, Nandi, and Kericho counties. Beyond local transport, the completed highway is expected to improve the flow of transit cargo toward the border, supporting trade with neighboring East African markets.

While the return of contractors has brought a sense of relief to the local community, KeNHA officials stated that they will maintain strict oversight to ensure the new timelines are met. The focus remains on delivering a durable bitumen standard road that can handle the heavy industrial traffic typical of the sugar-growing region.