The National Treasury has approved two Privately Initiated Proposals (PIPs) related to the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Road project, which is being contracted by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
In its Project Progress and Status Report dated July 5, 2025, the National Treasury said that the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Committee has approved two PIPs, with the project now set to enter the development phase.
The first proponent is a consortium of China Road and Bridge Corporation Kenya (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), while the second proponent is Shandong Hi Speed Road & Bridge International Engineering Co. Ltd.
The project comprises two main sections, including the A8 Section, which extends from the Rironi interchange to the Mau Summit Turnoff, covering a distance of approximately 174.90 kilometres.
In addition, the A8 South Section runs from the Rironi interchange to the Naivasha interchange via Mai Mahiu, spanning about 56.38 kilometres.
“This project forms a critical part of both the Northern Corridor and the Trans-African Highway, serving as a vital transport artery that links East and Central African countries to the Port of Mombasa. The highway plays a key role in supporting the movement of goods and services across the region, accommodating a substantial volume of heavy commercial traffic that is essential for regional trade and economic development,” reads part of the National Treasury report.
“On 2nd July 2025, the two PIPs were approved to progress to the Project Development Phase.”
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The approval comes months after KeNHA disclosed requirements for the submission of the two PIPs, which the authority said would undergo the PPP procurement process.
In a notice on May 27, the authority disclosed the proponents of the PIPs and said that they would be evaluated in line with the local content requirements set forth in the PPP Act, 2021.
This entailed evaluation of proposals, project development activities, assessment of the project development report, negotiations and drafting of the project agreement, stakeholder engagements, and ultimately obtaining the requisite approvals required under the Act.
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The PPP Committee then submitted its decision to KeNHA according to the Act.
Some of the benefits of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Road project include traffic flow efficiency (vehicles per hour), road surface quality index, safety metrics (accident rates, response time for incidents), toll revenue collection (for financial sustainability), and compliance with service level agreements.
Evaluation & Completion
KeNHA noted that Kenya possesses skilled labour in road construction, with additional expertise provided by the proponents.
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Moreover, the authority mentioned that project implementation is expected to further build the capacity of local staff and professionals.
The Cabinet announced that the project will widen approximately 175 kilometers of the A8 highway between Rironi and Mau Summit into a four-lane dual carriageway, up from the current two lanes.
The Ministry of Transport expects to complete the project within 24 months, targeting June 2027 as the completion date.
Speaking on May 15, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki directed Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir to oversee the construction and ensure the timely delivery of the Ksh90 billion project.
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