President William Ruto broke ground for the long-awaited dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway and the Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha road at Kamandura in Limuru, Kiambu County.
Speaking at the Kamandura grounds in Kiambu County during the official launch on Friday, the President pointed out that the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Road is 175 km long, while the Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha Road is 58 km.
“We will expand these highways into modern, multi-lane dual carriageways, which will be designed, financed, operated, and maintained through a world-class public-private partnership model,” he said.
He explained that the project is an investment of over KSh 170 billion, calling it a living demonstration of what happens when the government stops doing everything alone and starts working smarter and in partnership with the private sector.
“The Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit corridor will be strengthened to handle heavy commercial traffic, supported by new interchanges, truck bays, pedestrian bridges, and lighting. Other support facilities include barriers, drainage systems, and intelligent transport technology to enhance safety,” President Ruto stated.
The President noted that the Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha section will be upgraded to handle high cargo volumes, linking efficiently to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot and the emerging industrial ecosystem.
“This moment is not merely about laying a new corridor. It is about the foundation for a Kenya reborn, a Kenya that refuses to wait any longer for the future it deserves,” the President said.
He expressed regret that, for decades, Kenya has been trapped between options that have held back progress.
“Whenever we needed to undertake heavy and necessary infrastructural projects, we were presented with three choices. The first was to rely on the national budget, but this was impossible. The next option was borrowing, and the third option was to slow down on development and simply stay as we were,” he explained.
President Ruto said relying on the national budget, borrowing, or slowing development were no longer viable options.
“If we waited for the national budget, we would have waited a lifetime. If we borrowed, we would have added to our national debt. If we taxed more, we would have suffocated families,” the President noted.
He said the project is more than a highway; it’s a gateway to prosperity, unity, and transformation.
“It positions Kenya as a leader in innovative financing, modern transport, public-private partnership models, and in the audacity to think big when the world expects us to think small,” he said.
President Ruto said the projects will create thousands of jobs and equip 15,000 young Kenyans with technical skills.
“This project will create thousands of jobs, with 15,000 young Kenyans gaining skills as they help build this highway,” he reiterated.
At the flagging-off ceremony of construction works at Gilgil towards Nakuru town, the President said the government is embarking on an unprecedented national transformation drive to build 28,000 km of roads across the country and 2,500 km of dual carriageways in the next decade.
“This ambitious program is at the heart of our grand vision to transform Kenya, unlocking opportunities in every region and setting our nation firmly on the path towards joining the ranks of developed countries in our lifetime,” he said.
To achieve this, the President pointed out that the country was deliberately moving away from the ordinary, the average, and the mediocre.
“We are embracing excellence and the highest standards of delivery in every project we undertake,” he said.
He went on: “Our commitment is to make our country a better connected, more competitive, and more prosperous Kenya for all our people, today and for generations to come.”
At the same time, President Ruto urged Kenyans to be optimistic, saying scepticism and negative attitudes have hindered the nation’s progress.
He called on citizens to believe in Kenya’s potential, insisting that development is not a distant dream but an achievable goal grounded in planning, consistency, and collective effort.
“We must dispel the notion that it cannot be done. Many of our peers globally have already overtaken us, and it is time for Kenya to catch up,” President Ruto explained.
The President also flagged off road works towards Nakuru City at Mau Summit on the border of Nakuru and Kericho counties.
On the just-concluded by-elections, he congratulated the winners, noting that their victories reflected the strength of national unity.
He commended the newly elected leaders, allied to the UDA and ODM parties, for their good performance at the polls.
He singled out MPs-elect David Ndakwa (Malava), Leonard Wamuthende (Mbeere North), Ahmed Maalim Hassan (Banisa), Vincent Chemitei (Baringo), Moses Omondi (Ugunja), Harrison Kombe (Magarini), and Boyd Were (Kasipul).
President Ruto said the outcome of the by-elections showed that the country is stronger when citizens live in unity.
“The victory of the leaders associated with the broad-based government is a powerful reminder that we are bigger and better when we are united,” he said.
President Ruto said the election results are a clear indication that Kenyans are interested in leaders who have plans and an agenda for the people.
“The by-election results are a big statement that Kenyans have refused to buy ‘Wantam’ and ‘Kasongo’. They want a team with a credible plan and an agenda,” the President explained.
On development in Kiambu County, the President announced that the government has invested KSh 40 billion in affordable housing, modern markets, and student hostels that would accommodate more than 8,000 students.
At the function were Cabinet Secretaries Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport), Lee Kinyanjui (Investment, Trade and Industry), and John Mbadi (National Treasury).
Others were Governors Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Susan Kihiga (Nakuru), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, and several MPs.
