Motorists using the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway have started preparing themselves for diversions so as to pave the way for the expansion of the road.
This is after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the contractor started creating diversions in some areas.
Those sections in the 139km Rironi up to Mau Summit highway are set to have interchanges, bridges, and underpasses.
A motorist, James Kagema, on Monday said they will be okay to pass on any road since they know the highway will be completed soon.
Kagema said President William Ruto promised Kenyans the expansion of the road, owing to the huge traffic that uses the highway.
“This is an international highway and our President knew what he aimed at when he considered and commissioned its construction. It is used by all Kenyans traveling to Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western including neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, DRC Congo and even Southern Sudan,” he said.
Kagema spoke at Nyambari trading center in Lari constituency, where the contractor is creating diversions so that vehicles can divert from the highway so as to give them room to work on it.
“The junction to Uplands was closed. Now there are new entry and exit routes a few meters away. We were also alerted that soon, a section of the highway will be temporarily closed since there was some work KeNHA and the contractor wanted to do,” he said.
Speaking at the ASK Show in Nakuru on Monday, KeNHA Director General Eng. Luka Kimeli said the construction of roads within the country is being done in a professional way.
Eng. Kimeli, however, applauded the team representing KeNHA at the 2026 Show since they were noted to be among the best exhibitors.
However, the DG said the KeNHA staff were committed to working hard and as a team to deliver excellent service to Kenyans while upholding the Authority’s values of innovation, professionalism, and customer-focused service delivery.
“We are working hard to ensure Kenyans are using the best quality roads. Our team is well-trained, innovative, and works as a team so as to cultivate the best results,” he said.
A bus driver, Sam Ouma, noted that KeNHA was giving them signs early enough so as to prepare themselves for anything they want to do on a road.
Ouma added that the diversions that are created while roads are being constructed are wide enough so that they do not create traffic jams.
“We are happy with KeNHA for their continued communication. They help us plan accordingly and even advise our clients,” he said.
Ouma also added that, once the road is complete, movement from Nairobi will be easy and quicker, since some unnecessary traffic jams will be eradicated.
According to KeNHA, the road which has started at Rironi proceeding to Mau Summit, will create an extension of the James Gichuru road which starts at Nairobi and ends at Rironi.
