Road delays on the Rironi-Mau Summit highway have triggered a fresh political dispute after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua challenged the government’s explanation for the slow pace of construction.
Gachagua said the setbacks were not mainly caused by a shortage of bitumen, as Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir had stated. Instead, he alleged that financing problems involving Chinese lenders were behind the delays.
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Road project misses earlier target
The government had previously indicated that the Rironi-Naivasha section would be fully dualled and opened by October 30.
That deadline has now shifted, with Chirchir saying the section is expected to open in early December.
The Transport CS has blamed the delay on difficulties sourcing bitumen over the past two months.
He said geopolitical tensions and global supply chain disruptions had affected availability of the road-building material.
Chirchir added that the government had secured supplies for the next stage of works and was pushing contractors to accelerate construction.
Gachagua disputes bitumen explanation
Gachagua rejected that account during a church service in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.
He claimed that Chinese financiers had become reluctant to release money for the project because of concerns about political risk ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He also alleged that contractors did not have enough funds to continue work at the expected pace.
Those claims have not been independently verified, and neither the ministry nor the Chinese companies had publicly confirmed the alleged financing dispute in the reports reviewed.
Road remains key regional corridor
The Rironi-Mau Summit route is one of Kenya’s most important transport corridors.
It connects Nairobi with the Rift Valley, Western Kenya and onward routes to neighbouring countries including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The expansion project is intended to reduce congestion, improve road safety and shorten travel times along a route that regularly experiences heavy traffic.
Construction involves China Road and Bridge Corporation and Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International, with the wider project valued at more than Ksh.180 billion.
Government promises progress before festive season
Despite the delays, Chirchir says sections between Rironi and Naivasha should be opened before the festive season.
He also said more than 1,000 pieces of heavy equipment have been deployed along the corridor as works continue.
The dispute is likely to keep attention on both the financing and delivery timelines of the road project as motorists wait for the upgraded sections to open.
