Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, speaking during a church service at Christian Dominion Ministries in Kasarani on December 7, criticised President William Ruto’s administration for inflating the cost of the Rironi–Mau Summit Road project.
He raised concerns over the reassignment of the project from a French consortium, originally estimated at Ksh150 billion, to Chinese firms, now costing Ksh200 billion.
“The road from Rironi–Mau Summit was supposed to be built by the French at Ksh150 billion, Ruto has gone and cancelled that, and has given it to Chinese firms, now costing Ksh200 billion,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua described the move as unnecessary cost inflation, warning that it would saddle Kenyans with a 35-year repayment burden.
“So they have stolen Ksh 50 billion, and the Kenyans will pay that again for thirty-five years,” he remarked.
KeNHA Discloses Contractors for the Multi-Billion Dollar Highway Project
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) disclosed the preferred developers for the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit (A8) and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu (A8 South) highway projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
In a public notice shared on October 23, the announcement follows a comprehensive evaluation of Privately Initiated Proposals (PIPs) submitted by two companies for the multi-billion-shilling road projects.
“Approved the recommendation of the Evaluation Report, which recommended China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and National Social Security Fund Trustees (NSSF) Consortium as the Preferred Project Proponent, subject to the fulfillment of technical, financial, environmental, social, and legal conditions outlined in the report,” revealed the KeNHA notice.
Also Read: KeNHA Announces 22-Day Closure of Mau Summit Section
According to the disclosure issued by KeNHA, the authority received two PIPs: one from Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering Co., Ltd (SSBR), and another from a consortium comprising China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund Trustees (NSSF).
Govt Clarifies Ownership and Toll Plans in Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway Project
The National Treasury, through the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Directorate, responded to public concerns regarding the tolling and ownership of the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway Project.
In a statement on Sunday, October 26, the Director-General of the PPP Directorate, Eng. Kefa Seda assured Kenyans that the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway remains a public asset wholly owned by the Government of Kenya.
Also Read: KeNHA Clarifies Awarding Nairobi–Mau Summit Highway to NSSF and Chinese Firm
He emphasized that the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway is being developed through a Public-Private Partnership framework, anchored in the PPP Act, 2021, which enables the State to mobilize private investment and expertise for large-scale infrastructure while retaining full ownership, regulatory control, and policy authority.
“Under the PPP Act, 2021, the Government retains full regulatory control and step-in rights in the event of non-performance, ensuring uninterrupted service and protection of the public interest,” read the statement in part.
According to the Directorate, under this arrangement, the private partner will design, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit road for an agreed concession period of thirty years, after which the private operator’s contractual mandate will cease.
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