KeNHA Launches Major Road Safety Audit on 2,500KM of High-Risk Highways

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a major consultancy project focused on road safety. The initiative targets approximately 2,500 kilometres of high-risk major highways across the country.

KeNHA issued a notice inviting interested firms to bid for the assessment and audit of select corridors. The exercise forms part of the broader Multinational Horn of Africa Isiolo-Mandera Corridor programme.

Funding for the consultancy comes from part of a Ksh27.1 billion loan obtained from the African Development Fund under the El Wak-Rhamu Road project. The authority stated that it intends to apply proceeds towards the safety audit.

The selected consultant will assess current road conditions on the identified routes. It will identify existing safety gaps and recommend practical interventions to protect motorists, pedestrians and other users.

The assignment also aims to support the development of the Kenya Road Assessment Programme. This national initiative seeks to strengthen road safety planning and overall infrastructure management across the network.

A key output will be a Safer Road Investment Plan. The plan will prioritise cost-effective measures to improve safety standards and lower crash risks on the targeted corridors.

KeNHA wants the project to achieve at least a three-star road safety rating on the assessed highways. This will involve targeted infrastructure improvements and strategic safety interventions.

Capacity building forms another important component. The consultancy will include training, knowledge transfer and institutional support for KeNHA’s Road Safety Unit.

The programme is expected to run for about two and a half years. It will provide technical support to establish sustainable road safety systems within the authority.

International firms have been encouraged to partner with local consultants. Such collaborations are expected to enhance expertise while improving understanding of Kenya’s specific road environment.

Procurement will follow the African Development Bank’s policy for funded operations. The tender closes on June 30 2026 at 11am with submissions required at KeNHA headquarters in Nairobi.

The project reflects ongoing government efforts to address frequent road accidents. These incidents continue to claim lives and impose heavy economic costs on the country.

Kenya’s major highways have long recorded high crash rates in several sections. Systematic safety audits represent one approach to identifying and fixing dangerous spots.

The focus on high-risk corridors aligns with national priorities around infrastructure safety. Earlier projects under the same corridor programme have included road construction and rehabilitation components.

Stakeholders in the construction and transport sectors will watch the bidding process closely. Successful implementation could set standards for future safety assessments on other routes.

Road safety remains a critical challenge in Kenya’s infrastructure development. Regular audits and investment plans help prioritise resources where they can deliver the greatest reduction in accidents.