President William Ruto has announced an ambitious plan to overhaul key roads in Nairobi, including a complete rebuild and beautification of the busy corridor from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to ABC Place, as part of efforts to ease congestion and give the capital city a modern outlook.

Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, December 12, 2025, the president said stalled road projects across the city had been revived after contractors who had abandoned sites returned to work.

He noted that several major roads were now under active construction, signalling renewed momentum in Nairobi’s infrastructure upgrade.

Ruto said roads such as Valley Road, Ngong Road and Haile Selassie Avenue were back on track after delays that had inconvenienced motorists and businesses for months. He explained that the government had stepped in to ensure contractors resumed work to improve mobility within the city.

He then announced a major intervention targeting roads beneath the Nairobi Expressway, saying the completion of the elevated highway had exposed serious challenges on the ground-level roads used daily by thousands of motorists.

“Tumeleta contractor wote ambao walikuwa wameacha kazi na sasa wanaendelea na kazi, mfano barabara ya Valley Road, Barabara ya Ngong Road, kazi inaendelea pale, barabara ya Haile Selassie vile vile inaendelea,” the president said.

Beautification

Ruto added that the government would begin a full reconstruction of the JKIA–ABC Place road starting this December, alongside beautification works aimed at improving Nairobi’s image as the country’s capital.

“Ningependa kutangaza kwamba kwa sababu barabara ya Expressway imekamilika na wananchi wanatumia pale juu, barabara ya chini iko na matatizo, ndio sababu kuanzia hii Desemba tutajenga upya barabara kutoka JKIA mpaka ABC na tuifanyie beautification ndio Nairobi ionekane vizuri kama capital city ya Kenya,” he said.

The President also acknowledged the daily struggle faced by thousands of commuters who live outside Nairobi but work in the city, noting that traffic congestion remains a major challenge during morning and evening rush hours.

Looking ahead, Ruto announced plans to expand key access roads around the city into dual carriageways to improve traffic flow and reduce travel time for residents of neighbouring areas.

“Ningependa kuangaza kwamba mwaka ujao ile barabara kutoka Bomas of Kenya kuenda Rongai, kuenda Kiserian na barabara kutoka Bomas of Kenya kuenda Karen, Ngong kuenda Bulbul mpaka Kiserian tutaifanya iwe dual carriageway ndio wananchi wa pale wasafiri kwa urahisi,” he said.