President William Ruto has inspected the 84-kilometre Kenol–Sagana–Marua Road Project, with the Kenya National Highways Authority saying the works are now nearing completion at 93 per cent.
The highway, which is part of the Great North Road corridor, is being expanded into a dual carriageway to handle growing traffic, improve safety and strengthen links between regions.
Once completed, the road is expected to play a key role in easing movement for motorists, traders and transporters who rely on the busy route.
KeNHA said the upgraded road has been designed to endure different weather conditions and provide lasting service over many years. The authority noted that the project goes beyond road expansion and includes facilities meant to support both road users and nearby communities.
Among the additions along the corridor are a trauma centre in Sagana, modern roadside markets, clean sanitation facilities, motorcycle sheds and improved local access roads. The project also includes tree-planting activities aimed at promoting environmental care along the highway.
The Kenol–Sagana–Marua road forms part of the Kenyan stretch of the Trans-Africa Highway. The corridor runs from Nairobi through the Mount Kenya region and extends northwards to Moyale, linking Kenya to Ethiopia at the border.
The road serves some of the country’s most productive agricultural and commercial areas, and officials say its completion will improve the movement of goods, services and people across Central and Eastern Kenya.
The project is also expected to improve access to Nairobi and support cross-border trade with Ethiopia.
Works on the highway involve dualling the entire 84 kilometres, building grade-separated junctions, installing road safety features and carrying out supporting social projects for communities living along the route.
The total cost of the project stands at EUR 257.68 million. Funding has been shared between the African Development Bank Group, which provided 69 per cent, the Africa Growing Together Fund with 12 per cent, and the Government of Kenya, which covered the remaining 19 per cent.
