The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced that the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway is now being delivered under a structured, high-integrity public-private partnership (PPP) framework, with construction underway along the corridor under close coordination among national institutions, technical teams and regulatory bodies.

The Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway is a critical infrastructure project in Kenya, aimed at upgrading a key section of the Northern Corridor, which handles over 85% of the country's domestic cargo and 70% of regional transit freight. The highway spans approximately 175 km and serves as a vital link for agriculture, tourism, trade, and daily mobility in the Rift Valley region. The project addresses longstanding issues like congestion (delays of 30 minutes to 3 hours in peak times), high accident rates (especially in areas like Salgaa and Gilgil), and inefficiencies that lead to post-harvest losses for farmers (up to 20-30% for perishables). It aims to modernize the route with dual carriageways, improved gradients, drainage, signage, and safety features, shifting from fragmented construction to long-term maintenance under PPP discipline. The corridor influences Kenya's food systems (Nakuru contributes 30% of potatoes and significant dairy/vegetables), tourism (Naivasha and Nakuru attract thousands), and trade (40,000+ vehicles daily, linking Mombasa to Western Kenya and beyond). Upgrades are expected to cut delays, lower fuel/vehicle costs, reduce spoilage, and boost investor confidence. 

The project operates under a PPP model, where the private concessionaire handles design, construction, financing, and maintenance for a concession period, while the government oversees land acquisition, approvals, and compliance. The project was officially launched on November 28, 2025, marking the start of construction. It's a 175 km dualling (4-6 lanes in sections), awarded to a consortium led by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) with NSSF involvement, and Shandong Hi-Speed for part of the route. The project is estimated to cost between KES 170 billion and KES 200 billion (US$1.53 billion), with completion targeted for June 1, 2027.