President William Ruto has unveiled plans to expand the busy Nairobi–Nakuru highway into a six-lane dual carriageway in a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and accelerating economic growth.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in Keratina, Naivasha (Nakuru County), President Ruto said the transformation of one of Kenya’s most vital transport corridors would begin next month.
“We have agreed to expand this road. Instead of two lanes, we will now have six lanes from Nairobi to Nakuru. I will officially launch the project next month,” the president announced.
He noted that the project is part of his administration’s wider plan to modernize transport infrastructure and reduce road accidents, particularly on high-traffic routes like the Nairobi–Nakuru corridor.
“There is no way Nakuru or Kenya can develop without proper infrastructure. Development is a must,” Ruto emphasized.
Expansion to Extend Beyond Mau Summit
The announcement comes shortly after President Ruto revealed that the highway expansion will extend beyond Mau Summit into Western Kenya. Speaking earlier in the week at the launch of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme, Ruto said the upgraded highway would stretch from Mau Summit to Kericho and Kisumu, with another section linking Eldoret to the Malaba border with Uganda.
“The expansion will not stop in Mau Summit. It will continue to Kericho and Kisumu, and another branch will extend to Eldoret and then to the Malaba border,” he stated.
Project to Be Implemented Through Public-Private Partnership
President Ruto confirmed that work on the project will begin next month, facilitated through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He said the collaboration with the private sector would enable the government to build large-scale infrastructure projects without overburdening the national budget.
“If we relied solely on the national government budget, we would not manage. We must think innovatively private sector investment is essential if we want to build enough roads in Kenya,” Ruto explained.
He defended the PPP model as a sustainable approach to infrastructure financing, adding that similar partnerships have already proven successful in other national projects.
Call for Legislative Support
The Head of State also urged Members of Parliament to fast-track the enactment of the Infrastructure Bond legislation, saying it would help accelerate the delivery of major development projects.
“We need to entrench the Infrastructure Bond into law to ensure timely implementation of the government’s development agenda,” Ruto said.
The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway remains one of Kenya’s most important economic arteries, connecting Nairobi to Western Kenya and Uganda. Once completed, the expansion is expected to reduce travel time, enhance trade efficiency, and improve road safety for thousands of daily commuters and long-distance transporters.
