The Rironi-Naivasha section of the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway is expected to have a new tarmac surface by December as construction advances into key stages. During a tree-planting exercise along the project corridor on Friday, August 28, officials from the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) provided an update on the works, with the contractor saying work remains on schedule to deliver the Rironi-Naivasha stretch within the year.“We are still on course to finish this stretch. For this year we will have a new tarmac road from Rironi to Naivasha,” he stated.A project official disclosed that construction is currently concentrated on earthworks and major structures, with overall progress standing at about 20 per cent. He explained that the early phase can appear slow because much of the work involves foundations and other activities that are less visible, but the pace is expected to increase once pavement construction and asphalt works begin over the next month. Motorists should begin seeing completed road sections as the project moves into the surfacing stage. “Once pavement and asphalt works begin, progress will pick up significantly, and motorists will start seeing completed sections. We expect pavement works to begin within the next month, and by December we should have made considerable progress,” he said.KeNHA officials said the most critical section from Rironi to Nakuru is expected to be usable by Madaraka Day next year, while the wider 233-kilometre Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway project remains targeted for completion within 2027. The wider highway project aims to ease congestion, improve safety and restore travel times between Nairobi and destinations such as Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu to about four hours, from the current 8 to 10 hours.The upgraded road will also feature interchanges at major junctions to improve traffic flow along the busy corridor. Officials said most land acquisition, compensation and utility relocation have been completed, with remaining work focused on areas where construction can proceed with minimal disruption to existing buildings.Additionally, the contractor explained that the project will also incorporate solar power at facilities including the operations and maintenance centre, toll stations and some road slopes. On security, officials said the project will involve National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and local communities to help prevent vandalism and protect the infrastructure.
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