Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has revealed that plans to construct the Rironi-Mau Summit Road are at an advanced stage.

Speaking during a youth empowerment drive in Kapseret Constituency in Uasin Gishu County on Friday, June 6, 2025, Mbadi revealed that President William Ruto would be commissioning the construction of the road, which links Nairobi to the western part of Kenya.

“There have been frequent traffic jams along the Nairobi-Naivasha highway. We cannot be happy as a country when this is happening; we must make sure that the road is done, and that is why President Ruto will break ground for its construction in the next two months,” Mbadi said.

“The Rironi-Mau summit highway will open up the western region for business. That is what we call development, equity and fairness.”

Developed roads

The CS said that while other parts of the country have well-developed roads, regions that have been neglected in terms of road connectivity will be prioritised by the broad-based government.

“There are areas in this country with very good roads, and that is their right. However, we have to ensure that regions with poor road networks equally receive their fair share of development,” Mbadi said.

“While every part of the country deserves a good road, other regions, which have been sidelined, should also be allowed to have good roads.”

Plans to expand the road took a promising turn after Ruto secured funding from private investors in China during his visit to the Asian giant in April. The deal also secured funding to construct the Nithi Bridge, the Kiambu-Northern bypass, and the Eldoret bypass.

In a statement from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on Thursday, April 24, 2025, China and Kenya entered into a deal that will see the expansion and dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit-Malaba highway, Kiambu-Northern Bypass, Eldoret Bypass and the construction of the Nithi Bridge along the ominous stretch that has claimed several Kenyan lives.

Legacy project

“During the extensive engagement between the leaders, China agreed to work with Kenya on implementing strategic connectivity development projects. These include investments in the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Naivasha (Phase II) and from Naivasha to Malaba (Phase III), as well as the expansion and dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit-Malaba highway, the Kiambu-Northern Bypass, the Eldoret Bypass and the construction of Nithi Bridge,” the statement read in part.

On May 15, 2025, during a funeral programme in Nakuru County, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said that the road will be a legacy project for President William Ruto.

“The Ministry of Roads and Transport is directed by the president that from July, they must be present on the road. I believe that is going to be one of the legacy projects for President William Ruto, and from July, that project is beginning,” Kindiki stated.