Major traffic disruption expected during Friday's Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway launch
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has warned of significant congestion along the road, urging travellers to either reschedule journeys or use alternative routes.
Motorists will on Friday, November 28, be forced to seek alternative routes to pave the way for the official launch of the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway.
The 175-kilometre stretch connecting Nairobi to Western Kenya and neighbouring countries is expected to ease traffic, boost trade and improve safety once launched by President William Ruto.
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The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has warned of significant congestion along the road, urging travellers to either reschedule journeys or use alternative routes.
“The Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit (A8) Road will be launched at various locations. The road is envisaged to have significant traffic congestion for the whole day. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes, including Ngong-Suswa-Narok-Mau Narok-Njoro-Nakuru, Nairobi-Thika-Magumu-Njabini-Ol Kalou-Nakuru, Nakuru-Kampi ya Moto-Ravine-Makutano and Nakuru-Njoro-Molo-Mau Summit,” the Authority said in a notice.
For years, travellers using the Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway have endured prolonged traffic jams, sometimes lasting more than 10 hours. Stopping points such as St Mary’s, Gilgil Weighbridge, Delamere, Naivasha and stretches between Salgaa and Nakuru City have often become overnight resting areas for stranded motorists.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika hailed the launch as a transformative milestone.
“President William Ruto has confirmed he will be in Nakuru this Friday to launch the construction of the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway. This will mark a huge breakthrough for one of the most congested stretches of the Northern Corridor,” she said, adding that the upgrade will improve trade, ease movement, and reduce traffic-related fatalities.
The project has been divided into two contracts. President Ruto will preside over the launch of both the Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha and Rironi-Naivasha-Nakuru-Mau Summit dualling segments. The A8 section stretches 174.9km from Rironi Interchange to Mau Summit via Nakuru City, while the A8 South segment covers 58km from Rironi to Naivasha via Mai Mahiu.
China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, has been awarded the construction contract.
KeNHA confirmed that the upgrade will widen the existing two-lane carriageway into four lanes from Rironi to Naivasha and six lanes from Naivasha to Nakuru City. The Nakuru-Mau Summit stretch will have two or three lanes with a central barrier to enhance lane discipline.
The project will also include new and upgraded interchanges, embankment reinforcement, retaining walls, street and high-mast lighting, wildlife and livestock crossing points, bus bays, shelters, truck lay-bays, as well as underpasses and overpasses.
The highway upgrade is one of the largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Eastern Africa. Toll fees will apply, though alternative routes will remain available.
“Users of the road will be required to pay toll fees determined through an approved tariff framework, with rates regulated to ensure affordability, transparency and sustainability, while enabling the Private Partner to recover investment and maintenance costs. Alternative roads will be identified for the public who may not want to pay,” Acting KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli said.
During a recent tour of Nakuru, President Ruto revealed the project will cost between Sh170 billion and Sh200 billion, higher than initial estimates.
“Construction of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway will begin in November 2025,” he said, adding that plans are underway to extend the upgrade to Kericho, Kisumu, Malaba and Eldoret.
Currently, the highway handles an estimated 20,000 vehicles daily, with traffic expected to grow by four per cent annually. A World Bank-funded feasibility study in 2015, updated in 2021, recommended expansion to match rising traffic demand.
The upgrade is projected to transform movement along the Northern Corridor, improve cargo transport efficiency and stimulate economic growth in towns along the route.
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