Kenya has taken a decisive step toward infrastructure-led growth with the approval of the Rironi–Mau Summit Road project. The 175-kilometer highway upgrade, valued at Sh170 billion, is set to reshape the country’s economic landscape and strengthen its position as a regional trade hub.
Coming at a time when Kenya is recovering from the effects of the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions, the project to be delivered through a public-private partnership could not have come at a better time.
The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit corridor already carries close to 40 percent of the country’s trade traffic.
Modernising this key route will unlock Western Kenya’s vast potential, enhance cross-border trade with Uganda and other landlocked neighbours, and elevate Nakuru into a strategic economic centre. This development goes beyond building a road.
It represents an investment in equitable growth and a vision for shared prosperity.
For decades, Western Kenya’s agricultural strength has sustained the nation. Counties such as Kericho, Kisumu, Bungoma, and Kisii produce much of the country’s tea, coffee, maize, and sugarcane.
Yet poor road networks have long constrained progress, limiting farmers’ access to markets and increasing transport costs.
The new road will change this reality. With its dual carriageway and modern design, it will cut travel time between Nairobi and Mau Summit by several hours, easing the movement of goods and lowering logistics costs.
The ripple effects will be significant. Reduced transport expenses could translate into lower food prices, improved household incomes, and greater competitiveness for small-scale manufacturers.
Tourism in the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria region, and Kerio Valley are also likely to grow as access improves, stimulating hospitality and related industries.
Infrastructure projects of this scale create jobs and spark secondary business activity. Thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities are expected during construction and operation. In a region where youth unemployment remains high, this could revive rural economies and slow down migration to major cities.
This road will also strengthen Nakuru County’s potential as a Special Economic Zone hub. Efficient transport is one of the most critical enablers of SEZ success, and this corridor will directly link Nakuru to Nairobi, the port of Mombasa, and neighbouring regional markets.
Lower transportation costs and shorter travel times will make Nakuru an attractive destination for investors in manufacturing and logistics.
Planned extensions to Kisumu, Eldoret, Kericho, Busia, and Malaba will expand the project’s reach. This is not simply an extension of tarmac; it is a deliberate effort to integrate Western Kenya into the broader East African economic network.
Once seen mainly as a transit corridor, the region could soon emerge as a destination for investment and value addition.
Agro-processing industries stand to benefit most. With better infrastructure, producers can move beyond raw exports to value-added products such as packaged tea, processed coffee, and canned fruits. Renewable energy ventures, particularly in geothermal and solar, could also gain momentum, attracting both domestic and foreign investors.
The project’s significance extends beyond Kenya’s borders. For Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, whose economies rely on the Mombasa Port, the upgraded corridor offers efficiency and reliability.
Improved connectivity could cut freight times from Mombasa to Kampala by up to 20 percent, reducing costs and boosting regional trade.
Trade between Kenya and Uganda already exceeds one billion dollars annually, driven by petroleum, cement, machinery, and agricultural products. With better roads, that figure could double within a decade, supported by opportunities in logistics and joint manufacturing ventures.
Border towns like Busia and Malaba could grow into vibrant trade hubs with warehouses, customs facilities, and financial services.
Closer to home, Nakuru is emerging as the next frontier of economic growth. Its location along the corridor gives it a natural advantage as a logistics hub.
With reduced congestion and improved accessibility, Nakuru could attract distribution centres for multinational companies, spur real estate development, and expand its industrial base beyond food processing and textiles into higher-value sectors such as pharmaceuticals and automotive assembly.
Improved connectivity will also strengthen the link between academia and industry. Local universities, including Egerton and Kabarak, could serve as innovation anchors for research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Analysts estimate that modernization of the corridor could increase Nakuru’s GDP contribution by up to 20 percent within five years, creating a more balanced model of national growth.
Still, the project must balance progress with sustainability. Environmental safeguards, particularly around the Mau Forest ecosystem, will require strict enforcement. Tree replanting, wildlife corridors, and community engagement must be part of the process to ensure long-term benefits for both people and nature.
Kenya’s experience with large infrastructure projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway shows that bold decisions can deliver lasting impact.
This road is poised to do the same. It is not just a road but a lifeline for Western Kenya’s renewal, a bridge to regional integration, and a catalyst for inclusive prosperity.
As a nation, we must ensure its timely and transparent execution. When complete, it will not only connect towns, but ambition with opportunities and potential for growth.
By Job Kemboi | Group Chief Operations Officer, Siginon Group. Email: [email protected]
