Chirchir and the National Assembly Transport Committee inspected road construction works in Naivasha.
Transport CS Davis Chirchir says the government now targets early December 2026 to open the 60-kilometre section.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has moved the Rironi-Naivasha road opening to early December 2026. The revised target follows the missed October 30 deadline for completing the 60-kilometre section.
Chirchir announced the change on Friday, October 30, during a construction inspection in Naivasha, Nakuru County. He hosted members of the National Assembly’s Transport Committee and assured them the contractor was following the revised schedule.
In September, however, Chirchir had pledged to complete the dualling works by October 30. He had also said the expansion would ease traffic along the route.
Rironi-Naivasha road works target December opening
During the inspection, Chirchir said more than 90 teams were working along the section to accelerate construction. He put the pace of work at about four kilometres each week.
The CS also addressed concerns about shortages of bitumen, a key road-building material. He said the government had secured sufficient supplies to support completion within the revised timeline.
However, Chirchir said some design work would remain at Naivasha Junction beyond the planned opening. The government intends to build an interchange there, incorporating both an overpass and an underpass.
The contractor also expects to extend construction towards Gilgil and Mai Mahiu. Meanwhile, the government aims to advance the wider highway expansion by June next year.
Chirchir described the road as a major government project intended to improve connectivity. He told the committee that the December target would allow motorists to begin using the dual carriageway.
Wider highway project includes toll charges
The section forms part of the Ksh200 billion Rironi-Mau Summit highway project under a public-private partnership. China Road and Bridge Corporation is undertaking the first phase between Rironi and Naivasha.
Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering is expected to undertake the Gilgil-Mau Summit section. The expansion will turn the existing two-lane road into four lanes between Rironi and Naivasha. Beyond Naivasha, the plans provide for six lanes towards Mau Summit.
The project also includes grade-separated interchanges, bypasses at selected points, modern tolling infrastructure and intelligent traffic management systems. Once the highway is complete, motorists are expected to pay Ksh8 per kilometre between Rironi and Naivasha. The planned rate between Naivasha and Mau Summit is Ksh8.50 per kilometre.
Meanwhile, Chirchir said the ministry was closely monitoring contractors handling public projects amid concerns about their performance. He said strict due diligence and checks on performance records would help protect value for public money.
