President Ruto announces plan to build 60km Nairobi–Thika Expressway
President William Ruto announced on Friday while addressing the country during the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium.
President William Ruto has unveiled plans for a major new expressway that will link Nairobi to Thika, promising a faster and easier route for travellers and businesses.
President Ruto announced on Friday while addressing the country during the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium.
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He said the government is preparing to build a 60-kilometre highway that will run parallel to the current Thika road, which he described as heavily strained by daily traffic.
The project, he noted, is designed to ease congestion and improve transport between the two towns.
The President explained that construction is set to start in 2026, with the road planned to begin near the Nairobi expressway at Museum Hill interchange before stretching all the way to Thika town.
“A lot of Kenyans live in Thika, and the current Thika road is very congested, and there are a lot of vehicles using the Thika road. I want to announce that next year, we will construct an expressway from Thika to Nairobi at Museum Hill,” Ruto said.
He added that the new route will support smoother movement of people and goods, offering an alternative for the growing number of commuters who rely on the existing road network.
The new expressway complements the Nairobi Expressway, a Sh88 billion road commissioned in 2022 through a public–private partnership.
President Ruto also highlighted ongoing collaboration with Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi, who supports the development of Thika town into Kenya’s fifth city, emphasising that the road will play a key role in the town’s transformation into an industrial hub.
Governor Wamatangi had previously indicated that designs for the new road are being finalised and that public consultations would be held before construction begins.
“Currently, the team is working on designs, after which public consultations will be conducted before the projects commence,” he said.
The President noted that the national government has coordinated with Nairobi County authorities to resume road works that had previously been delayed.
“There are a lot of things we have agreed with the Nairobi County Government to undertake in the city. We are going to build all the roads that had stalled here in Nairobi, and we have already agreed to return all contractors,” he said.
Currently, 60 kilometres of roads are under construction in various parts of the city.
Among the ongoing projects, the President listed Muhuri Road and Mama Wahu Road in Dagoretti South, the Mihang’o Link Bypass in Embakasi East, Umoja 1 SDA Road in Embakasi West, Thindigwa Road in Roysambu, and Road C in Embakasi South.
Additional upgrades are planned for Valley Road, where a new contractor has been deployed to complete the long-stalled work, as well as Ngong Road and Haile Selassie Avenue.
President Ruto also revealed plans to expand Ngong Road into a dual carriageway from the Bomas of Kenya to Ngong in Kajiado County, addressing congestion for commuters from Kiserian, Rongai, and Karen.
“From next year, the road from the Bomas of Kenya to Rongai and Kiserian, and from Karen through Ngong to Kiserian, will be expanded into a dual carriageway,” he said.
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