State Awards Sh2.47bn Rumuruti-Nanyuki Road Contract

The national government has awarded a Sh2.47 billion contract for the upgrading of the Rumuruti-Mutara-Nanyuki road to bitumen standards. The project, which covers a critical 70-kilometer stretch in Laikipia County, aims to provide a reliable paved link between the county’s administrative headquarters in Rumuruti and the commercial center of Nanyuki.

According to a statement from the Government Spokesperson issued on Friday, March 27, 2026, the move is part of a broader strategy to modernize the region’s transport network. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) will oversee the works, which have been classified as a priority under the current infrastructure development vote.

The road has long been a point of concern for the locals, who have relied on a murram surface that is often difficult to navigate during rainy seasons. By transitioning the corridor to bitumen standards, the government expects to lower transport costs and improve the movement of agricultural produce and livestock, which are the backbone of the local economy.

Previous estimates for the full upgrade of this corridor sat at approximately Sh3.3 billion, but the current contract focuses on specific sections and stage improvements to ensure immediate usability. The project follows a series of recent tenders by KeNHA, including Section 1 covering the Rumuruti-Mutara stretch and Section 3 linking Nanyuki to Naibor.

President Ruto has previously emphasized the importance of this corridor in opening up Laikipia for investment. The region has seen a surge in interest from property developers and hospitality investors, many of whom have cited poor road connectivity as a primary bottleneck to growth.

The awarding of this contract comes barely a week after the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) signed a separate agreement for the upgrade of the Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi Road. These concurrent projects signal an aggressive push by the Ministry of Roads and Transport to conclude long-standing infrastructure commitments across the country.

For the locals in Rumuruti, the upgrade is particularly significant. Since the relocation of the county headquarters from Nanyuki to Rumuruti, the demand for high-capacity infrastructure has increased. The current dust-prone road has struggled to support the administrative and commercial traffic now flowing between the two towns.

Data from the state’s open budget indicates that the project has been allocated funding across the 2025 and 2026 financial years. Initial site preparations and the establishment of contractor camps are expected to commence following the formal handover of the site.

The project is also expected to complement the Sh3 billion Naibor-Kisima-Maralal road, which is nearing completion. Together, these roads will form a paved network connecting Laikipia to Samburu County, further integrating the northern frontier into the national economy.