The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced to be laying up plans for construction of the Sh 168bn Rironi-Mau Summit road.
The state agency affirmed that they have started searching for a firm to audit construction works during the project development phase, and eventually certify its completion. The consultant is expected to review plans by the contractor, inspect and monitor progress of construction works and eventually conduct tests on the road before declaring it fit for use.
โKenha, jointly with Rift Valley Highway Ltd, concessionaire of the Nairobi-Nakuru Mau Summit PPP Project, hereby invite sealed applications from competent local and international firms or consortia to pre-qualify and bid for the selection of an independent expert for the project,โ stated the agency in a notice.
Rironi-Mau Summit road project
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.
The 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. This will be the President’s first trip post Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the Kenyan airspace closed for both domestic and international flights.
