President William Ruto has confirmed that the government will begin the dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway in 2024. This announcement comes amid rising frustrations from motorists, particularly during the holiday season, as heavy traffic congestion causes long delays on the busy route.
Speaking at AIC Kipkorgot in Eldoret on Sunday, President Ruto reassured Kenyans of the government’s commitment to improving the crucial transport corridor. “The commitment that I want to give to you is that next year we will begin the construction of a dual carriageway from Nairobi, first to Nakuru and then from Nakuru later we will take it to Malaba,” he stated.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway is a vital link for trade and transport, connecting Kenya to East African countries and facilitating the movement of goods and people. The expansion project is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion, providing a more efficient and reliable route for commuters and businesses.
The first phase of the project will focus on the Nairobi-Nakuru stretch, with plans to eventually extend the dual carriageway all the way to Malaba in Busia County. Although a previous Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with a French company fell through, President Ruto assured the public that the government is in talks with other companies to ensure the timely execution of the project. “We already have a programme and are in discussions with different companies on how that road is going to be done so that we can ease congestion and provide more transport capability for our infrastructure,” he explained.
In the meantime, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a traffic advisory for motorists using the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. To alleviate congestion, KeNHA has recommended alternative routes, including the Naivasha-Njabini-Olkalou-Dundori-Lanet-Nakuru and Flyover-Njabini-Olkalou-Dundori-Lanet-Nakuru routes. Another option is the Ngong-Suswa-Narok-Mau Narok-Nakuru highway.
