Expansion works on the Rironi-Mau Summit highway is set to begin in September this year. Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia made the announcement.
“We are set for expansion of the Rironi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha highway this September. ย It will improve connectivity between Central and Eastern Kenya and the Rift Valley and Western Kenya regions, and will reduce congestion on the Northern Corridor,” said CS Macharia.
Kenya signed the tolling concession pact with a consortium of French firms under Rift Valley Connect led by Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund to unlock the funding of the road, which once complete will be the country’s first toll highway outside Nairobi.
PPP agreement
The Sh 168bn road project is a key segment of the Northern Corridor expected to significantly cut the travel time for both people and goods, reducing the cost of doing business time between Nairobi and Mau Summit. It entails expansion of 175Km road from Rironi to Mau Summit into a four-lane dual carriageway and re-carpeting of Rironi โ Mai Mahiu โ Naivasha Road.
Under the PPP, the private sector will raise finances for the road project, design, construct, maintain and operate the road on pre-agreed standards and specifications. This will be the second road the country has signed PPP on after it handed over the Sh59 bn JKIA-Westland’s Expressway to China Road and Bridge Corporation. The concession for the road is within a time frame of 30 years.
KeNHA awarded the tender for the road to French firm Meridiam International, with others in the consortium including Vinci Highways SAS and Vinci Concessions SA. The road upon completion will also compliment the standard gauge railway (SGR) services between Naivasha and Malaba Border.
