President William Ruto has renewed his push for private investment in Kenya’s road network, saying the country can no longer rely solely on the national budget or costly borrowing to deliver major infrastructure.
Breaking Away from Traditional Funding
Speaking at the launch of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha dual-carriageway projects, Ruto said traditional funding models had slowed development and left Kenya “trapped between options that held back progress.”
- A single modern highway can consume nearly half of the annual development budget.
- Borrowing more would worsen Kenya’s debt burden.
- Raising taxes would “suffocate families.”
“We must build differently, and we must build smarter,” Ruto declared.
Kenya’s Largest-Ever PPP Road Project
Under the new concessions, 233 km of road will be financed, expanded, and operated through a long-term Public–Private Partnership (PPP) worth KSh170 billion.
- 175 km Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit (A8)
- 58 km Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha section
“This is a living demonstration of what happens when government stops trying to do everything alone and starts partnering with the private sector,” Ruto said in Kiambu County.
We are embarking on an unprecedented national transformation drive to build a record 30,500km of new roads over the next 10 years, including 2,500km of dual carriageways, and 28,000km of other roads as we accelerate the expansion of infrastructure across the country.
This… pic.twitter.com/r3NhAYgNUK
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) November 28, 2025
Features of the Upgraded Highways
The new dual carriageways will include:
- Truck lay-bys and interchanges
- Pedestrian bridges
- Intelligent transport systems
- Enhanced drainage
These upgrades aim to cut travel time, reduce accidents, and strengthen trade along a corridor linking Nairobi to Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC.
“For too long, this corridor carried more than it could bear. Traffic consumed our time, accidents stole our loved ones, and delays cost our economy billions. Today we say: no more,” Ruto said.
Nationwide Road-Building Programme
Ruto also unveiled plans for new dual carriageways, including:
- Machakos Junction–Mariakani
- Mau Summit–Kisumu–Busia
- Athi River–Namanga
- Key Nairobi corridors
He contrasted Kenya’s 22,000 km of tarmacked roads since independence with Japan’s 1 million km in the same period, saying PPPs will help close the gap without piling debt or raising taxes.
Financing the Future
To sustain the transformation, the government will establish:
- A National Infrastructure Fund
- A Sovereign Wealth Fund supported by budget allocations, privatisation proceeds, royalties, and private capital
“This approach will reduce our dependence on debt and build long-term national wealth for generations to come,” Ruto said.
Kenya Infrastructure Investment Spurs Growth Despite Budget Cuts
Construction Begins Immediately
Work on the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha roads starts right away, with Chinese technical partners providing expertise and transferring skills to Kenyan workers.
“This is our moment to rise from the ordinary. To step away from the average. To leave mediocrity behind and walk confidently into excellence,” Ruto concluded.
