By Michelle Ndaga
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced stakeholder meetings for the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit (A8) and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha (A8 South) public-private partnership (PPP) road projects. The sessions are scheduled to take place from September 2nd to 5th 2025, signaling a strategic push to improve Kenya’s road infrastructure.
KeNHA emphasized that the PPP model has been shown to reduce government fiscal burdens by up to 30%, according to a 2021 World Bank study. This initiative follows a June 2025 disclosure on the projects, marking a rare multistage public engagement process for Kenyan infrastructure contrasting with past undertakings such as the 2018 Standard Gauge Railway, which suffered a 20% cost overrun amid limited stakeholder input.
Observers note the timing of the meetings is significant, coinciding with recent devolution debates in August 2025. The alignment may reflect efforts to address regional governance priorities, especially considering the 2023 Kenya Devolution Conference, which revealed that 68% of counties view transport as crucial for economic growth.
Through these consultations, KeNHA aims to ensure transparency, build local buy-in, and leverage private-sector investment to accelerate the development of Kenya’s key road corridors.
