The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on Thursday conducted an inspection visit to key road infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity along the Nairobi–Nakuru corridor.
The team, led by Ndia Member of Parliament and committee chairperson George Kariuki, toured the ongoing works on the Rironi–Mau Summit Road Project (A8) and the James Gichuru Road Junction–Rironi Highway (A104).
They were accompanied by Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir and Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua.
During the visit on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the delegation received a detailed briefing on the progress of the projects from technical teams drawn from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), and the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation.
Officials explained that the project forms part of broader efforts to upgrade the busy A8 corridor linking Nairobi to western Kenya and neighbouring countries. The Contracting Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), received a Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) from China Road and Bridge Corporation together with the Board of Trustees of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) under the Public Private Partnerships framework.
The proposal, submitted on May 25, 2025, covers the development of the Rironi–Gilgil (A8) and Nairobi–Mai Mahiu–Naivasha (A8 South) corridor spanning approximately 138.1 kilometres.
Following the review process under the Public Private Partnerships Act, the contracting authority and project sponsors have negotiated and initialled the project agreement.
According to the project brief, the main scope includes the development of a dual carriageway covering about 59 kilometres of the A8 highway between Rironi and Naivasha. Another section between Naivasha and Gilgil, approximately 22 kilometres long, will be expanded into a six-lane dual carriageway.
The project will also include the development of additional sections of the A8 South corridor between Rironi, Mai Mahiu and Naivasha, including the upgrading of approximately 35.1 kilometres of the route to improve mobility and safety along the rapidly growing transport corridor.
Plans also include the construction of three toll stations along the A8 corridor and one along the A8 South Road as part of the Public Private Partnership financing model.
Preliminary works currently underway involve the design and construction of priority sections, including Section One covering the first five kilometres (Km 0+000 to Km 5+000) and Section Two covering approximately 3.2 kilometres between Km 55+000 and Km 58+200.
Project officials reported that the contractor has already opened several sections of the corridor for initial works, including stretches between kilometre 0+000 and kilometre 22+000 as well as other segments along the route.
Members of the parliamentary committee acknowledged the progress made so far by the ministry and the implementing agencies. However, they urged the contractor to prioritize local labour in order to create employment opportunities for youth and residents living near the project areas.
The lawmakers also took time to engage with Members of the public during the visit, reassuring them that the government remains committed to completing the road projects, which are expected to significantly ease travel along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors.
Cabinet Secretary Chirchir expressed appreciation for the Committee’s support and oversight, noting that collaboration between Parliament, the ministry and implementing agencies was key to ensuring the timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects.
By Anthony Solly
