The traffic congestion along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway has become a persistent problem, frustrating commuters and truck drivers alike.
This ongoing issue has plagued the highway for years, yet successive administrations have failed to implement meaningful solutions.
Each festive season, the highway faces severe traffic jams, underscoring the need for its dualling to the border, a solution recently highlighted by President William Ruto.
In July, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that Nairobi loses about Sh120 billion annually due to traffic congestion, a significant economic burden. This figure highlights the need for expanded road infrastructure to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.
Dualising the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is critical, not only for easing congestion but also for enhancing regional connectivity.
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid to dual the highway through a public-private partnership (PPP) was met with political resistance.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot voiced concerns over tolling, arguing that residents from western Kenya should not pay tolls when other roads, such as the Nairobi-Thika-Kenol-Sagana road, were dualised without tolls. He insisted that the Nairobi-Nakuru highway should be treated equitably.
Recently, President Ruto’s Senior Economic Adviser Moses Kuria suggested that dualisation should proceed under a PPP framework, reigniting the debate. Ugenya MP David Ochieng opposed this, arguing that the highway should be funded through the national budget.
His stance revived an ongoing debate that overshadowed the second term of the Jubilee reign. Such political rows should not delay an essential national project.
Instead, leaders must collaborate to ensure the highway is dualised without further obstruction. The road’s congestion, not only impacts commuters but also disrupts trade within the East African region. Therefore, there is an urgent need to act decisively.
While concerns about China’s loans and influence are valid, Kenya’s engagement with China, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, offers a viable solution for financing the Nairobi-Nakuru highway project.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway’s dualisation must be a national priority. Political differences should be set aside in favour of collaboration to ensure this vital infrastructure project is completed efficiently and transparently.
The BRI, launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to connect countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe through infrastructure development, including roads, railways, and ports. China’s involvement in African infrastructure has already demonstrated positive outcomes, particularly in Kenya with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
China’s financing model, based on mutual agreement and consensus, has proven beneficial for Kenya. Unlike many Western countries, which view Africa as a risky investment destination, China has consistently offered support for large-scale infrastructure projects.
This “request-based” financing approach ensures that the terms of projects are aligned with the needs of the host country, promoting sustainable development.
President Ruto's engagement with China at the ninth Focac Summit in Beijing in September highlighted the potential for further collaboration on infrastructure projects, including the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The Northern Corridor, which links Kenya’s port of Mombasa to neighboring countries such as Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is an essential trade route for East Africa. However, congestion on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway disrupts the flow of goods, affecting the region’s economic stability.
The dualisation of this road, therefore, is not just a domestic issue but one with significant regional implications.
The Northern Corridor is vital for Kenya’s economy, linking the Mombasa port to landlocked countries. However, traffic congestion on the highway slows the movement of goods, making trade less efficient and costing the region economically.
The expansion of the road is critical to improving trade efficiency and regional connectivity. If congestion persists, businesses may turn to alternative routes, such as the Central Corridor, which could undermine Mombasa’s role as a key trade hub.
In addition to the economic advantages, dualising the Nairobi-Nakuru highway will support Kenya’s broader infrastructural goals, in line with the BRI’s objectives. China’s commitment to infrastructure development in Africa, including funding through the BRI, provides an opportunity for Kenya to improve its road networks and enhance regional trade.
The government must prioritise the dualisation of the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and coordinate this project with the expansion of the SGR.
This will ensure both projects complement each other, streamlining transportation along the Northern Corridor and easing congestion.
Public participation, mandated by the Public Participation Act of 2018, should be integral to the process, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Ultimately, the dualisation of the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is a critical step toward enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in regional trade. By improving infrastructure, Kenya can facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services, reduce trade barriers, and foster economic growth. The highway’s upgrade will not only ease domestic traffic but will also contribute to the growth of East African trade.
With China’s support through the BRI and FOCAC, Kenya can significantly enhance its road network, benefitting both the country and the wider East African region. The Northern Corridor’s upgrade is crucial for regional economic prosperity and Kenya’s long-term development.
The writer is a journalist and communication consultant
