Kenya’s transport sector has taken a significant step forward with the submission of a third bid for the development of the Rironi–Mau Summit and Mai Mahiu–Naivasha highways—key components of President William Ruto’s flagship infrastructure plan aimed at modernising the Northern Corridor. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed receipt of a proposal from Multiplex Partners Company Limited ahead of the stated deadline, joining two earlier submissions by Chinese state-linked firms: China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering Ltd.
The project, previously costed at over $1.4 billion by the African Development Bank, is considered a strategic artery in East Africa’s infrastructure ecosystem. It forms part of the Northern Corridor, which links the port of Mombasa with Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These road segments are essential to alleviating congestion on the heavily trafficked route that connects Nairobi to western Kenya and southern Nyanza, often gridlocked during peak travel periods.
CRBC, working in conjunction with Kenya’s National Social Security Fund, and Shandong Hi-Speed—a subsidiary of the Shandong Hi-Speed Group—have already received clearance from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee to proceed to the project development phase. KeNHA’s Director General, Kung’u Ndung’u, confirmed that all proposals are being evaluated in accordance with the Public Private Partnerships Act, 2021, and that the final bidder will be announced following due diligence and full technical and financial assessment.
“This process is being conducted with full adherence to the PPP Act, 2021,” Ndung’u stated, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to transparent procurement and legal compliance. He added that KeNHA remains open to various procurement approaches under the law, ensuring optimal value for public investment.
This development highlights Kenya’s continuing shift away from debt-financed infrastructure in favour of collaborative models that leverage private capital. Public-private partnerships have gained traction in the country as a means of accelerating infrastructure delivery while preserving fiscal space, particularly amid rising public debt concerns. The Kenyan Treasury’s 2024/25 budget indicates that infrastructure development remains a cornerstone of the country’s economic recovery strategy, with an emphasis on strategic corridors and connectivity to regional trade hubs.
The road also holds political significance, traversing the Rift Valley, a region viewed as President Ruto’s electoral stronghold. Its successful execution may bolster the administration’s development credentials ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Environmental, community, and stakeholder considerations have also featured prominently in the planning process. KeNHA disclosed that it conducted 65 consultative meetings involving over 3,000 participants, including conservationists, residents, and logistics stakeholders. The aim was to integrate public input into the project’s design and minimise ecological disruption along the corridor.
While CRBC and Shandong Hi-Speed bring established records in African infrastructure delivery—CRBC notably played a lead role in the construction of Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway—publicly accessible information about Multiplex Partners remains limited. Reports from Kenyans.co.ke suggest the company is relatively unknown within the Kenyan infrastructure landscape. Nonetheless, its proposal has been accepted for review alongside the other submissions.
Construction is anticipated to commence in the first half of the 2024/25 fiscal year, pending final selection and contractual agreement. KeNHA has reiterated its intention to maintain transparency and efficiency throughout the remaining stages of the procurement process.
As Kenya seeks to position itself as a regional trade and logistics hub, successful execution of the Rironi–Mai Mahiu–Naivasha and Rironi–Mau Summit highways will be a pivotal milestone in the country’s broader infrastructure and economic development agenda.
