KeNHA Nairobi Region Appoints Eng. Francis Kimata as New Director

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has formalised a change in its regional leadership, following a transition ceremony held in the capital this week. Eng. Francis Kimata has officially assumed the role of Nairobi Regional Director, taking over the responsibilities from his predecessor, Eng. Dominic Kirira.

This handover comes at a time when the Nairobi region remains a focal point for massive infrastructure investment. The regional office oversees some of the most complex and high-traffic road networks in the country, requiring steady technical oversight.

During the official ceremony, Eng. Kirira handed over the instruments of office to Eng. Kimata, marking the conclusion of his tenure at the helm of the regional department. The event was attended by various technical and administrative staff from the authority, who witnessed the formal exchange of documentation.

The Nairobi Regional Director role is tasked with the maintenance and management of the primary road network within the city and its surrounding metropolitan areas. These roads are vital for the movement of goods and people, forming the backbone of the local economy, which President Ruto has often highlighted as a priority for development.

Eng. Kimata enters the office at a period where the government is under pressure to improve urban mobility. The Nairobi region handles a significant portion of the national budget allocated for road repairs and periodic maintenance.

Managing these projects requires close coordination with both national government bodies and local county administrations. The transition ensures that ongoing projects under the KeNHA Nairobi docket maintain their momentum without administrative delays.

Staff members present during the transition expressed their support for the incoming director. The outgoing director, Eng. Kirira was acknowledged for his service during a period that saw the completion and commencement of several major bypasses and link roads.

As the new regional head, Eng. Kimata will be expected to address the challenges of urban congestion and the preservation of existing road assets. His office will also likely handle the implementation of new technologies in road management to improve safety and longevity of the highways.

The Nairobi office serves as a template for other regional clusters within the KeNHA structure, given the high density of road users and the intensity of usage. Effective leadership in this region is often viewed as a barometer for the authority’s overall performance in urban infrastructure management.

With the handover now complete, the focus shifts to the upcoming procurement cycles and the oversight of the current maintenance contracts. Eng. Kimata will now lead the technical teams as they navigate the complexities of Nairobi’s evolving transport landscape.