President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious nationwide infrastructure drive that will see major highways dualled and thousands of kilometres of new tarmac laid over the next decade.
During his State of the Nation Address, he said Kenya intends to dual 2,500 kilometres of roads and surface an additional 28,000 kilometres, arguing that a robust transport system is essential for economic expansion and regional competitiveness. He pointed to Japan’s post-war reinvention of its road network as proof that targeted investment in transport can fundamentally reshape a country’s prospects.
To set the plan in motion, Ruto will next week preside over the long-awaited start of dualing works on the 170-kilometre Rironi–Naivasha–Nakuru–Mau Summit stretch. On the same day, he will launch construction on the 58-kilometre Rironi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha link, promising that the notorious traffic snarl-ups on the corridor will soon ease.
A total of nineteen major routes have been listed for expansion, among them Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi, Machakos Junction–Mariakani, Mau Summit–Kericho–Kisumu, Kisumu–Busia, Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba, Athi River–Namanga, Karatina–Nanyuki–Isiolo and Makutano–Embu–Meru–Maua.
Also included are Mtwapa–Malindi, Mombasa–Lunga Lunga, Kericho–Kisii–Migori–Isebania, Nakuru–Nyahururu–Karatina, Kisii–Oyugis–Ahero, the Northern Bypass, James Gichuru Road, Bomas–Karen–Ngong, Bomas–Ongata Rongai–Kiserian, Ngong–Isinya and Naivasha–Kikuyu.
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Ruto further disclosed plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu and eventually to Malaba, with construction slated to begin in January 2026.
He said the overhaul of the country’s road and rail systems will ease congestion, shorten travel times, open markets for farmers and traders, and drive employment. The government will also turn to public-private partnerships to upgrade Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the ports of Mombasa and Lamu, alongside a commitment to resolve challenges facing Kenya Airways by 2026.
