PHOTOS: President Ruto Launches Rironi-Mau Summit Road

President William Ruto has launched the long-awaited Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Road project, describing it as a truly transformative investment poised to modernise transport, strengthen regional trade, and set Kenya apart as a leader in large-scale infrastructure delivered through innovative financing. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony held at Kamandura in Kiambu County, the President stressed that the initiative represents more than just the construction of a highway, terming it a fundamental "gateway to prosperity, unity, and transformation" for the nation.

Structured under a world-class Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project carries an investment value exceeding Sh170 billion, making it one of the largest infrastructure developments currently underway in East Africa. The initial plan for a single-contract full-corridor deal was restructured after failed negotiations, primarily due to investment caps on Chinese state-owned enterprises. The project has now been strategically split into two sections. The consortium of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) will manage the approximately 139-kilometre section covering Nairobi–Naivasha–Gilgil and the Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha (A8 South) road.

The remaining 94-kilometre Gilgil–Mau Summit segment will be undertaken by Shadong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International (SDRBI). Both segments are slated for conversion into modern, multi-lane dual carriageways, designed, financed, expanded, operated, and maintained through the PPP framework. This approach, according to the President, demonstrates the immense possibilities unlocked when the government effectively collaborates with private sector partners, moving away from bearing the entire infrastructure burden alone.

The upgrade promises significant enhancements for motorists and commercial traffic across the corridor's 233-kilometre span. The segments managed by the CRBC-NSSF and SDRBI consortiums will incorporate new features such as dedicated interchanges, truck lay-bys, pedestrian bridges, and advanced lighting. Crucially, the introduction of barriers, comprehensive drainage systems, and intelligent transport technology is expected to dramatically improve overall road safety along this heavily utilised route. Concurrently, the Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha segment being executed by the CRBC-NSSF team is specifically being upgraded to adeptly handle challenging steep terrain and increasing cargo volumes, ensuring a seamless connection to the strategic Naivasha Inland Container Depot and the burgeoning industrial ecosystem in the surrounding region.

Combined, these road upgrades are projected to unlock considerable economic potential, not only within Kenya but across the wider East and Central African sub-region. The corridor functions as a critical logistical artery, linking Nairobi directly to crucial trading partners including Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This enhanced connectivity is expected to significantly boost trade, logistics, tourism, and cross-border business activities, solidifying Kenya's position as the economic and transport hub of the region. The launch marks a pivotal moment in the government’s broader economic transformation plans, reflecting a clear shift toward sustainable financing and long-term regional development thinking.