The government has officially launched preparatory work for the major upgrade of the vital Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba road corridor.
Spearheaded by the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Directorate of the National Treasury, in collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and with support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the project marks a decisive step towards modernizing a key segment of the northern corridor.
The journey began with a kick-off meeting between a joint venture of consultants from CPCS, an international infrastructure development firm based in Canada, and Avatech Consult, a Kenyan-based consulting engineering firm, who are going to conduct a comprehensive pre-feasibility study.
Funded by the AIIB, this four-month assessment will lay the groundwork with preliminary technical, economic, environmental, and financial analyses. This initial phase is designed to shape the project’s structure and guide the more detailed stages to follow, ensuring a solid foundation for private sector investment.
Currently, this essential highway, which forms the backbone of trade linking the port of Mombasa to Uganda and the heart of East and Central Africa, is under immense strain. Heavy traffic, frequent congestion, and high accident rates have shown the urgent need for transformation.
The envisioned upgrade promises a substantial leap forward. It will expand the road to a modern dual carriageway, integrate intelligent transport systems to improve traffic flow and safety, while also embedding climate-resilient designs to guarantee the corridor’s sustainability for decades to come.
The strategy to deliver this transformative project hinges on a robust Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Currently, a competitive procurement process for comprehensive feasibility and transaction advisory services is already underway, with an appointment expected by mid-2026.
Next will be targeting a call for qualified private investors in the third quarter of 2026, followed by a request for detailed proposals in early 2027. If all proceeds as planned, a private partner could be finalized by the second quarter of 2027, taking on the responsibilities of designing, financing, building, operating, and maintaining the upgraded highway.
This initiative is a strategic undertaking for the economic future. The current administration aims to accelerate infrastructure delivery, enhance regional connectivity, and fortify the nation’s trade competitiveness by leveraging private capital and expertise through the PPP framework.
According to Eng. Kefa Seda, Director General for Public Private Partnerships, this partnership reflects a committed drive to mobilize investment for infrastructure that will catalyze growth and strengthen the country’s position as a regional logistics hub.
