This archive report was first published on 6 October 2021.
Kenya is on the cusp of a major infrastructure boost with the upcoming construction of the Sh160 billion Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Road toll highway, expected to begin before the end of the year.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia announced the development, which is set to alleviate traffic congestion in the Northern corridor.
The 233-kilometre highway will traverse Kiambu and Nakuru counties, with the Rift Valley Highway Company – a consortium comprising Meridian Infrastructure Africa Fund, Vinci Highways, and Vinci Concessions – undertaking the project.
The consortium will design, finance, build, operate, and maintain the expressway, with Rift Valley Highway Ltd CEO Cecile Brandao expressing enthusiasm for the project.
‘As private investors, we’re really proud of this long-time partnership that we have with the government of Kenya, and we would like to thank you for the confidence. The fact that you are trusting us to deliver a world-class project…’ Ms Brandao said.
She added that the project is for the people of Kenya, with the road set to be expanded into a four-lane dual carriageway through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The project will see users pay for its costs, as the government turns to tolling as an alternative development financing model.
Forming part of the Northern Corridor, the highway directly serves an estimated population of six million and another 19 million people living in Nakuru County and beyond.
The CS explained that the road will be of the highest standard possible, including interchanges with a viaduct, like the Nairobi Expressway, going through Nakuru.
Negotiations for the project started last year when President Kenyatta held talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The firm will then recoup its finances using the revenues and income generated by the electronic toll collection system along the road over a period of 30 years.
