[PHOTOS] Ruto launches Rironi-Mau Summit road

The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit section spans 175 kilometres, while the Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha segment adds another 58 kilometres.
Both are being upgraded into modern, multi-lane dual carriageways designed, financed, expanded, operated, and maintained through what Ruto described as a world-class PPP model.

President William Ruto has launched the long-awaited Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Road project, describing it as a transformative investment that will modernise transport, strengthen regional trade, and set Kenya apart as a leader in large-scale infrastructure delivered through innovative financing.

Speaking during the launch on Friday, the President said the project represents more than just the construction of a highway — calling it a “gateway to prosperity, unity, and transformation.”

The project, among the largest in East Africa, has been structured under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model at an investment value of over Sh170 billion, according to a statement issued by the President.

President William Ruto, during the commissioning of Rironi-Mau summit road at Kamandura, Kiambu, on November 28, 2025/PCS

Ruto said the initiative demonstrates the possibilities unlocked when the government collaborates with private sector partners instead of attempting to shoulder all infrastructure burdens alone.

“This project we launch today is more than a highway; it’s a gateway to prosperity, unity, and transformation,” Ruto said.

“It positions Kenya as a leader in innovative financing, in modern transport, in public-private partnership, and in the audacity to think big when the world expects us to think small.”

The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit section spans 175 kilometres, while the Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha segment adds another 58 kilometres.

Both are being upgraded into modern, multi-lane dual carriageways designed, financed, expanded, operated, and maintained through what Ruto described as a world-class PPP model.

The President underscored that the investment is proof that Kenya can embrace smarter, efficient ways of delivering mega infrastructure.

The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit corridor will be reinforced to better accommodate heavy commercial traffic.

New features will include interchanges, truck lay-bys, pedestrian bridges, enhanced lighting, barriers, drainage systems, and intelligent transport technology for improved road safety.

Meanwhile, the Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha stretch will be upgraded to handle steep terrain and increased cargo volumes, linking seamlessly to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot and the emerging industrial ecosystem in the region.

These enhancements, Ruto said, will ensure faster, safer, and more efficient movement of people and goods.

Combined, the road upgrades are expected to unlock economic potential not only within Kenya but across East and Central Africa.

The corridor serves as a crucial artery connecting Nairobi to Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo — supporting trade, logistics, tourism, agriculture, and cross-border business.

“This route is a vital artery sustaining our economy and powering regional opportunity,” Ruto said.

The project’s launch marks a significant moment in the government’s broader infrastructure and economic transformation plans, reflecting a shift toward sustainable financing, enhanced regional integration, and long-term development thinking.