NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 28 — President William Ruto says 15,000 young Kenyans will benefit from new employment opportunities through the construction of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha highways, describing the venture as a national turning point in infrastructure and economic development.
Speaking during the official project launch, the President said the highways — worth Sh170 billion — will not only improve transport efficiency but will also serve as a workforce empowerment engine by engaging thousands of youth, technicians, engineers, and small enterprises during implementation.
“This project will create 15,000 jobs. It will build not just roads, but careers, skills and livelihoods — with Kenyan workers taking the lead,” Ruto said.
He added that the government structured the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model to prioritise local contractors, maximise skills transfer, increase SME involvement and boost domestic supply capacity.
President Ruto said the project signals a departure from decades of constrained development, where Kenya’s infrastructure depended heavily on borrowing or slow incremental budget spending.
“For too long we were stuck between borrowing, overtaxing or doing nothing,” he said.
“This project proves we can build smarter — and still deliver transformation.”
Since independence, Kenya has built 22,000 kilometres of tarmacked roads. Ruto compared this to Japan’s one million kilometres constructed over a similar period, framing the new highway initiative as a correction of historical underinvestment.
The 233-kilometre corridor, one of East Africa’s busiest transport routes, links Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the DRC.
Once completed, it is expected to ease cargo movement, reduce travel time and lower road accident rates.
Key features include dual carriageway upgrade, intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), pedestrian bridges and truck lay-bys, modern drainage and road lighting and strengthened Maai Mahiu–Naivasha section for heavy cargo flow.
The highway will also boost logistics around the Naivasha Inland Depot and support Kenya’s position as a regional transit hub.
“Traffic has cost us lives, business time and billions. Today we say: no more,” Ruto declared. “This road will cut travel time, save lives and unlock trade across the region.”
The President said the highways reflect a long-term shift in economic strategy — from state-driven infrastructure financing to blended investment with the private sector.
“These efforts will boost competitiveness, lower business costs and connect Kenya more efficiently to global markets.”
Construction activities are expected to begin immediately.