Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davies Chirchir has told the Senate the government is working towards the expansion of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret corridor, particularly the dualing of the Rironi-Nakuru and Nakuru-Eldoret highways.

While responding to  Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey, the CS told the Senate plenary that Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is preparing to launch a new procurement process for the project’s delivery under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

“The roadmap for implementing the PPP project has been developed and deliberated upon with the relevant government agencies, to facilitate the procurement process as prescribed under the prevailing PPP Act, towards the selection of a suitable concessionaire to ensure that road works begin within a reasonable timeframe,” said Chirchir.

He said the Nairobi—Nakuru—Mau Summit section is a top priority, and  KeNHA has completed the design of Cheptiret-Eldoret-Leseru Junction, which proposes dualing the whole length of road from Cheptiret to Leseru Junction, and construction shall be carried out once funds become available.

 Chirchir said that the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit project will be financed through a project finance model, with financing sourced from the private party and cost recovery via road tolls under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo sought to know from the Cabinet Secretary when the Mombasa – Mtwapa – Kilifi Road project, which is a key part of the Northern Transit and Transportation Corridor, will be completed.

Chirchir said the project is divided into two lots with different completion dates, with  the first lot being the Mombasa — Mtwapa Road project commenced in November 2022, with the progress being 42% with the project is expected to be completed by November 2026.” 

He added that the second lot of which is the Mtwapa — Kwa Kazengo — Kilifi Road project, commenced in December 2021, and currently  64%  of it has been done, with the works expected to be completed by March 2026.

Madzayo wanted to know when the construction of a second bridge linking Mombasa Island to the North Coast mainland would start to ease traffic congestion.

Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Chirchir explained, is undertaking a Public Private Partnership Project for the second Nyali Bridge, which is still at a preliminary stage.

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu asked for a status update on the upgrade to bitumen standard of the 25km Mombasa Road (Devki-Kinanie Park/Kinanie Leather Park Road in Machakos County, which was allocated Sh 1.7 billion by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority(KURA).

Chirchir said that following the clearance of most pending bills in April 2025, the contractor resumed works and requested an extension of time, which was reviewed and approved, setting the revised completion date for this project at January 14, 2026.

The Cabinet Secretary said the contractor was asked to submit a revised programme of works, and through engagement with the Ministry, a budgetary allocation of Sh400 million was secured for the financial year 2025/2026.

Chirchir said KeNHA utilises privately owned motor vehicles as it outsources road maintenance works through Performance Based Contracts, particularly on critical roads such as Thika Road and Nairobi Southern Bypass, aimed to ensure a rapid response to incidents and breakdowns.

Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu had sought to know why  KeNHA uses privately owned vehicles for patrol on highways, further wondering who owns them and how their services were procured.

“This initiative is intended to ensure regular road patrols to monitor compliance with traffic regulations; Protection of road infrastructure (including street lighting and guardrails); and Immediate assistance to motorists in distress,” said Chirchir.

He said that the patrol vehicles are owned by PBC maintenance contractors who are competitively procured in compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (2015) by open tender method.

Chirchir told the Senate that KeNHA does not intend to procure its patrol vehicles for maintenance works, as it considers the Performance-Based Contract (PBC) arrangement a more sustainable approach.