Kenya is laying the groundwork for two major highways aimed at improving regional connectivity and trade with Uganda.
The government plans to expand the 243-kilometre Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba road into a four-lane highway while building a 190-kilometre expressway linking Kisian, Maseno, Luanda, Yala, Ugunja, Sega, and Busia to the border.
Canadian firm CPCS and Kenya’s Avatech Engineering have begun pre-feasibility studies on the Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba section under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with funding from the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
The new routes will complement the Sh170 billion Rironi-Mau Summit dual highway, providing an additional corridor to ease traffic congestion along the Northern Corridor.
The Kisian-Malaba expressway has received backing from the East African Community, while Uganda is expected to construct a 60-kilometre highway from Jinja to Busesa under a PPP, ensuring the roads on both sides connect seamlessly.
“The study, funded by AIIB, will provide preliminary technical, economic, environmental, and social studies, financial modelling, and transaction design necessary to prepare the project for private sector participation,” said Edwin Seda, Director General of the PPP Unit.
“The proposed upgrade will expand the road to dual carriageway standards, enhance road safety, improve traffic flow through intelligent transport systems, and incorporate climate-resilient design features to ensure long-term reliability and sustainability of the corridor.”
The study will also determine construction costs and toll charges for the expressway users. The Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba highway is a key trade route linking Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making the upgrades vital for regional commerce.
The government plans to appoint consultants to finalize the engineering design and financing model by June, paving the way for investors to commit and construction to start.
While previous efforts focused on the Rironi-Mau Summit segment, this move confirms the state’s determination to upgrade the Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba road and enhance trade along the Northern Corridor.
