Kindiki Takes Hard Hat to the B55 as Government Pushes to Close Regional Link Gaps

Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has intensified the executive oversight of Kenya’s primary transit corridors, conducting a site inspection of the Ilassit–Njukini–Taveta (B55) road project. The visit, which took place on Thursday, highlights a renewed focus on the 66.5-kilometer stretch that serves as a vital link between Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties. Accompanied by officials from the Kenya National Highways Authority, the Deputy President reviewed the technical progress of the works, which are designed to upgrade the existing gravel surface to international bitumen standards.

The B55 project starts at the Ilassit junction and terminates at the Taveta junction, effectively bridging the gap between the A5 and A6 international trunk roads. During the tour, Kindiki emphasized that the administration remains committed to the acceleration of such infrastructure to ensure that regional connectivity is not just a policy goal, but a physical reality. The project had previously faced delays under earlier funding models, but it was moved to an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction framework to streamline delivery.

Work on the ground involves the construction of a seven-meter wide carriageway supported by 1.5-meter shoulders. The scope of the project extends beyond mere paving, as it includes the installation of new bridges, box culverts, and street lighting within urban centers along the route. For the residents of Njukini and the surrounding trading hubs, the completion of the B55 is expected to reduce vehicle operating costs and travel times, which have historically been hampered by poor road conditions during rainy seasons.

KeNHA records indicate that the site was handed over to Sinohydro Corporation Ltd for active construction and maintenance. This specific corridor is considered a priority for the government, because it facilitates the movement of agricultural produce and goods toward the Tanzanian border. By strengthening this loop, the Ministry of Roads and Transport aims to create a more resilient logistics network that can handle increased heavy-duty traffic without the frequent degradations seen in gravel-standard routes.

The inspection by Kindiki is part of a broader trend of high-level monitoring for projects under the 2025/2026 financial year cycle. While on-site, the Deputy President engaged with the technical teams regarding the project’s adherence to environmental and social management plans. These plans are crucial for mitigating dust, noise, and water pollution during the heavy earthworks phase. The government maintains that such oversight ensures taxpayers receive value for money while keeping contractors on strict timelines.

Regional leaders, including those from Kajiado and Taita Taveta, have frequently advocated for the completion of this road to unlock the economic potential of the border regions. The B55 serves as a secondary transit route for the Northern Corridor, providing an alternative for transporters who would otherwise be restricted to longer, more congested paths. As the project moves into its next phase of paving, the focus shifts to the timely completion of drainage structures, which are essential for the longevity of the bitumen surface in this particular terrain.

The Deputy President’s visit concludes a week of infrastructure reviews across several counties, signaling an intent to clear the backlog of stalled projects. By moving from a Public-Private Partnership model to a direct EPC contract, the government has taken a more hands-on approach to the B55, seeking to avoid the bureaucratic hurdles that previously slowed progress. The project remains a central pillar of the National Highway Authority’s strategy to integrate the country’s outlying regions into the main economic grid.