Rironi-Mau Summit road construction: What motorists should know about expected completion date
By David Nthua, July 13, 2026Motorists using the Rironi-Mau Summit highway should prepare for continued construction works and traffic disruptions as the government targets full completion of the road in 2027.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has placed the official completion date at June 2027.
President William Ruto has, however, challenged contractors to finish the project earlier, by April 2027.
This means motorists currently have two publicly announced timelines, although KeNHA’s June 2027 date remains the main technical completion target.
Completion timelines
President Ruto initially directed contractors to complete the highway before Madaraka Day on June 1, 2027, when he launched the project in November 2025.
He later brought the deadline forward. Speaking in May 2026, Ruto said the entire highway would be completed by April 2027.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has maintained that the full project will be ready by June 2027.
Both Ruto and Chirchir have also said the Rironi-Naivasha section should be completed and opened to motorists by the end of August 2026.
Motorists should, however, note that completion of one section does not mean construction on the entire Rironi-Mau Summit corridor will have ended.
Sections under construction
The project is divided between two contractors working from different points.
China Road and Bridge Corporation is constructing the Rironi-Gilgil section, including the Rironi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha link.
Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International is handling the Gilgil-Nakuru-Mau Summit section.
During a July 2026 inspection, KeNHA said the CRBC section was about 15 per cent complete, while the Shandong section was approximately 10 per cent complete.
Work includes road widening, earthworks, construction of retaining walls, interchanges, climbing lanes, drainage systems, pedestrian facilities and truck lay-bys.
What motorists should expect
Motorists should expect temporary diversions, reduced speeds, construction vehicles and delays, especially around Rironi, Kamandura, Maai Mahiu, Naivasha, Gilgil and Nakuru.
Utility relocation involving electricity lines, water pipes and communication infrastructure may also affect the pace of construction in some areas.
The completed highway will cover approximately 233 kilometres and will operate as a tolled road under a public-private partnership arrangement.
The government has said alternative roads will remain available for motorists who do not want to use the tolled highway.
For planning purposes, motorists should treat June 2027 as the expected full completion date, while April 2027 remains the faster deadline announced by President Ruto.