President William Ruto has vowed to fast-track the construction of a dual carriageway along the Nairobi-Nakuru-Malaba road to address chronic traffic congestion on the vital transport corridor. The announcement follows days of gridlock that left thousands of travelers stranded as they journeyed upcountry for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Speaking at AIC Kipkorgot in Uasin Gishu on Sunday, December 22, President Ruto acknowledged the infrastructure challenges crippling the highway and promised action.
“We had a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program with a French company, but it didn’t materialize. However, we have identified alternatives. Next year, we will commence the construction of a dual carriageway from Nairobi to Malaba to ease congestion and improve transport efficiency,” Ruto assured.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway has been in the spotlight after severe traffic gridlocks paralyzed movement for commuters since Friday, prompting the National Police Service to deploy extra officers and even a helicopter to manage the chaos.
Public-Private Partnerships to Expedite Project
Ruto’s Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, emphasized the urgency of leveraging private sector partnerships to finance and complete the project. Speaking on Saturday, Kuria called for a shift from public funding to sustainable PPP models.
“The mess on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is further proof that we need innovative approaches. The Rironi-Mau Summit dualling must proceed under a PPP framework,” Kuria stated.
Authorities have also appealed to motorists to adhere to traffic regulations, urging patience as the government works to implement long-term solutions.
Ruto Defends Cabinet Nominations Amid Criticism
On a separate issue, President Ruto defended his latest Cabinet nominations, which have drawn criticism over perceived regional imbalance. The new appointees include former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture and Livestock Development), former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui (Investments, Trade, and Industry), and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo (Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy).
Ruto dismissed accusations of favoritism and underscored his administration’s commitment to national unity and service delivery.
“Our aim is to unite Kenyans and transform this nation—not to create competition between political leaders. These appointments are part of a deliberate strategy to foster inclusivity,” Ruto said during remarks on Thursday.
The nominations have sparked debate, with critics pointing to the dominance of the Mt. Kenya region in the Cabinet. Observers note that seven of the 20 Cabinet Secretaries hail from the region, raising concerns over regional balance.
Ruto’s defense of the appointments comes after his first direct meeting with former President Uhuru Kenyatta since their political fallout. The meeting, held at Kenyatta’s Gatundu home, reportedly focused on national and regional issues.
Despite the criticism, Ruto remains steadfast. “This government is intentional about building unity and transforming Kenya,” he said, urging Parliament to approve the nominations to allow the government to deliver on its promises.
The Cabinet list now awaits vetting and approval by the National Assembly.
