President William Ruto has recently announced the dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, following the recent traffic snarl-up along the major road.
Speaking during a church service at the AIC Kipkorgot in Uasin Gishu County, the president revealed that the construction of the dual carriageway would begin next year.
The head of state also noted that the dualling of the highway would be carried out by a private contractor under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme.
According to him, the highway will be constructed in two phases: the first phase will involve the construction of the highway from Nairobi to Nakuru, while the second phase will extend from Nakuru to Malaba.
The President furthermore explained why the expansion of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway into a dual carriageway has not happened.
Ruto noted that previous plans to construct a dual carriageway connecting Nairobi and Nakuru did not materialise due to a breach of contract by a French company that had been tasked with the construction.
“We had a PPP programme with a French company, but it did not work out. However, we have alternatives that we are working on as a government. The commitment I want to give you is that next year, we will begin the construction of the dual carriageway from Nairobi to Nakuru first, and then from Nakuru to Malaba,” he noted.
He went on to disclose that the government had already begun discussions with various private companies on how the road would be constructed.
The Head of State moreover noted that the same would be done to other unfinished roads across the country.
