President William Ruto has flagged off a major road expansion project aimed at improving travel along key routes to Kenya’s Western region.
The initiative, launched on Wednesday at Kamandura in Kiambu County, covers the dualling of the 175km Nairobi-Mau Summit section and the 58km Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha stretch, areas historically plagued by traffic congestion and frequent accidents.
The roads, which traverse the steep Kikuyu Escarpment, have been associated with numerous fatalities over the years. Official statistics cited by the President show that in 2024 alone, 284 people died on these sections, following 168 fatalities recorded in 2023.
These figures have long drawn public concern over road safety and infrastructure capacity.
President Ruto described the $1.54 billion (KSh200 billion) project as a “transformative investment” designed to reduce gridlock, enhance safety, and improve efficiency for commuters and commercial transporters.
He noted that the upgrades are expected to strengthen regional connectivity, facilitate trade, and support economic growth both within Kenya and across the East African region.
The project’s launch comes amid ongoing national debates over infrastructure funding and prioritization.
Construction is expected to involve significant earthworks, road widening, and safety enhancements, including measures to prevent accidents along the challenging escarpment areas.
Local authorities have pledged support to ensure smooth project execution, highlighting its potential to create jobs and stimulate regional economic activity.