By E, KNA
Preparations towards the upgrade and expansion of the Sh120 billion Rironi–Mau Summit and Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha Roads are in top gear by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), even as the government lines up a civic engagement exercise to allow members of the public give their views on the project.
The civic engagement exercise is scheduled to be held in Naivasha, Mau Summit, Gilgil, Nakuru town, Salgaa and Mai Mahiu areas between September 2nd to September 8th this year.
KeNHA Deputy Director of Roads, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate Engineer Julia Ondeyo said their team held a stakeholders’ engagement with Nakuru County Government officials, led by Deputy Governor Mr David Kones, to discuss and review the project scope and progress towards commencement of the upcoming modernization of the road.
Engineer Ondeyo described the engagement which marked the first external stakeholders meeting, as a key milestone in the development of the critical trade route of the project.
The project traverses Kiambu and Nyandarua counties, with its largest section, approximately 80 percent of the total length being within Nakuru County. It is set to be implemented under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) framework, drawing parallels from the Nairobi Expressway model.
Engineer Ondeyo stated that extensive consultations before the project kicks off were important to ensure that all concerns from the public are captured.
The Deputy Director said the public forums will focus on input on the project design, feasibility study, environmental, economic and social impact study and proposed mitigation measures. The forums will also capture other emerging potential issues and suggested improvements among others.
Engineer Ondeyo said the public participation will emphasize on involving citizens in various stages of the project, from planning and design to implementation and monitoring, to ensure it is responsive to community needs and preferences.
She said the public participation was aimed at enhancing project ownership, improving transparency, and ultimately leading to more successful and sustainable road infrastructure development.
“This is the beginning of a transformative journey for one of the country’s most ambitious road projects in recent history,” she stated.
Engineer Ondeyo noted that Article 10 of the Constitution enshrines transparency and inclusivity in national development, and that the government had pledged to uphold these principles throughout the PPP process.
KeNHA emphasized its readiness to work closely with Nakuru County and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation, noting that community participation will be integral to the success of the initiative.
According to Eng. Ondeyo, the Sh120 billion Rironi–Mau Summit upgrade project was geared towards harnessing private capital to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and enhance safety along the Northern Corridor.
She explained that the 175-kilometre long Rironi-Mau Summit Road will feature four lanes from Rironi to Naivasha town, as well as improvements to the Maai Mahiu-Naivasha Road. The road will then expand to six lanes from Naivasha town to Nakuru City to adequately accommodate the high volume of traffic on this route, added the Deputy Director.
The road’s expansion, which is part of the Northern Corridor connecting Nairobi to the western parts of Kenya and neighboring countries, she said, was now being considered urgent due to frequent and severe traffic jams along the route, especially on weekends and holidays.
Kenya’s western counties and the land-locked countries of Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are said to be the main beneficiaries of this road corridor as it carries the bulk of cargo and passenger traffic from the Port of Mombasa to landlocked countries in the region.
According to KeNHA, the dualling of this corridor is expected to ease congestion, improve logistics efficiency, and stimulate economic growth across multiple sectors including real estate, agribusiness, tourism, and trade.
The project, according to KeNHA, will include pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes, and other non-motorized transport infrastructure to ensure accessibility and sustainability.
Nakuru County Deputy Governor David Kones said the engagement forum focused on addressing persistent challenges of heavy traffic, long travel times, and safety risks on the road that serves as a lifeline for trade and travel.
He noted that the projects, once completed, will significantly improve mobility, reduce accidents, and enhance the efficiency of transport services across the busy corridor linking Nairobi to the Rift Valley and beyond.
“During the meeting, we raised several pertinent issues to be considered during the design and construction phases. Key among them included, creation of effective diversions to ensure safety of motorists during construction, fair compensation for land and infrastructure affected by the project, and protection of upcoming towns,” noted Mr Kones.
He disclosed that they had deliberated on how the project could create linkages to markets and other local centers along the corridor, maximizing employment opportunities for local residents including sourcing for some raw materials locally, implementing social and environmental safeguards to protect communities and ecosystems.
Additionally, he added that proposals had been made for the provision of truck parking bays at various stations along the route, relocation of the Gilgil Weighbridge away from the main highway, redesign of the road along Ngata bridge to establish an overpass or an underpass for the safety of pedestrians, fair tolling system, among other suggestions.
Kones indicated that the proposed safeguards aim to protect the livelihoods of Nakuru County residents and minimize disruption during the expansion of one of the region’s busiest and most economically significant trade routes and to ensure that the project not only improves infrastructure but also benefits the communities along the corridor.
The Deputy Governor was flanked by County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr Samuel Mwaura, County Executives Committee Members, Engineer Michael Kamau (Roads, Public Works and Infrastructure), Mr John Kihagi (Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development) and Mr Stephen Kuria (Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives).
Also present at the engagement were Chief Officers Samuel Ndegwa (Roads), Ken Mungai (Environment), Ben Sang (Trade), Edward Gitau (Public Participation and Citizen Engagement), Martin Kagai (Office of the Governor) and Naivasha, Molo and Gilgil Municipal Board Chairpersons among other County officials.
Mr Kones stated that the construction phase will generate thousands of jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers, while local suppliers and businesses along the corridor are poised to benefit from increased activity.
He said dualling of the highway will offer a transformative solution to the chronic gridlocks that plague this vital transport corridor, according to users.
“By expanding the road into a dual carriageway, traffic flow will be significantly streamlined, reducing bottlenecks caused by slow-moving trucks, holiday congestion, and frequent accidents. This upgrade will not only enhance mobility between Nairobi and western Kenya but also strengthen regional trade links, making Mai Mahiu a more efficient and less hazardous transit point,” offered the Deputy Governor.
Mr Kones emphasized that the Rironi-Mau Summit project marks a significant step in Kenya’s infrastructure development, promising improved safety, economic growth, and regional integration.