A third company has expressed interest in building President William Ruto’s flagship Rironi-Mau Summit and Mai
Mahiu-Naivasha highway, signaling growing competition for the high-stakes
infrastructure project.
The Kenya National Highways Authority said Multiplex Partners Company Limited had submitted a bid, joining
two Chinese firms already in the race.
Director general Kung’u Ndung’u said the
agency also approved privately initiated proposals from the first two
bidders, China Road and Bridge Corporation in partnership with the
National Social Security Fund and Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge
International Engineering Ltd.
The Public-Private Partnership Committee gave the two initial proposals a go-ahead, allowing them to proceed to the project development
phase.
However, before the bidding window closed, Kenha received
a third proposal from Multiplex Partners whose details of remain scarce.
“The PPP Committee in its 54th meeting
approved the privately initiated proposals for the two proponents to proceed to
project development phase,” Kenha said, in disclosures pointing to the works
kicking off soon.
The agency said that it is during the consideration of
the two proposals that the third bid, whose details, including physical address, remain scant, was received.
Kenha received the additional proposal prior to the lapse
of the time allowed for receipt of proposals.
“The proposal is currently being subjected to evaluation
under the same criteria as the preceding two proposals to determine whether the
same is in compliance with the Public Private Partnerships Act, 2021, and has
met the necessary threshold as prescribed by law,” the agency said.
The checks entail conducting due diligence on the
company and evaluation of the proposal if it meets the technical and financial
requirements.
“Having undertaken the above processes, Kenha, the PPP directorate – National Treasury and the PPP Committee – will render their decisions,” the notice says.
Kenha said it will follow the law and announce the tender winner upon award. “This will be disclosed at the appropriate time upon conclusion of statutory processes."
The Rironi-Mau summit project remains central to Ruto’s
legacy plan, thanks to the political gains it carries.
The project is envisioned to end the gridlock that has
seen travellers heading to western region, especially during the festive seasons spend
nights on the road.
It also cuts through Rift Valley, which is considered
Ruto’s political bedrock hence, is viewed as one that stands to make a
political statement once complete.
Part of the project is to expand the Rironi-Maai Mahiu
stretch through to Naivasha – currently a designated truck route.
This is the road used by commuters headed to Kisii and
the greater southern Nyanza region.
With campaigns for the 2027 elections gaining momentum,
the project’s progress could make or break Ruto’s re-election bid.
The project cuts through Ruto’s Rift Valley stronghold
while serving Western and Nyanza, which are key 2027 constituencies the President is eying for reelection prospects.
Kenya Kwanza said the works would begin in
the first part of the current financial year, as evidenced in the conclusion of
the first phase of considering the first two bids.
“Kenha is committed to adhering to provisions of the PPP
Act of 2021 and further remains alive to the various procurement methods…and
shall undertake all further steps in accordance with the law should all
proposals proceed to project development phase,” Ndung’u said.
In its website, the agency says it held 65
meetings with more than 3,000 participants in ‘an effort to sensitise and have a
buy-in for the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road project’.
Communities living along the road corridor, elected leaders, county
governments, conservationists, NGOs, transporters and other interest groups
such as Kenya Private Sector Alliance have been engaged.
“The engagements have seen the incorporation of proposals from the public into the road designs to ensure various interests have been taken care of,” the agency says.
