Nairobi-Nakuru Highway Set For Expansion

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) plans to expand the Nairobi–Nakuru highway into a dual-carriage way, to improve the flow of traffic to western Kenya and beyond. The perennial traffic jams experienced on the highway are expected to reduce drastically once the project is complete. According to the KeNHA Regional Manager – Central Rift, Eng. Ezekiel Fukwo stated that the project is expected to take about three years to complete.

The project includes expansion of the 175KM road from Rironi to Mau Summit into a four-lane dual carriageway and re-carpeting of Rironi – Mai Mahiu – Naivasha Road (Escarpment Road).

The project will be undertaken on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis. In the arrangement, the private sector will raise finance for the road project, design, construct, maintain and operate the road on pre-agreed standards and specifications. The concession for the road is planned for a period of 30 years. KeNHA says ten companies of international repute, have already expressed interest in undertaking the project.

The Nairobi – Nakuru – Mau Summit road is part of the Northern Corridor and among the most important roads in the region. The road is used for transporting most of the westbound cargo from the Port of Mombasa and Nairobi. The project will significantly reduce the travel time between Nairobi and Mau Summit and the traffic snarl-up experienced on the road.

Kenya Power to address frequent power outages

Frequent power outages have been the order of the day in the month of January in Nakuru Town prompting the Chapter office to call for a meeting with Kenya Power (KPLC) Regional Manager Central Rift Eng. Geoffrey Muli to address the matter.

During the meeting, KPLC acknowledged the relatively high number of power outages in Nakuru Town in January and advised that they are running an alternative feeder line from Soilo sub-station which will be completed by end March. This, according to Eng. Muli. will significantly stabilise the power delivery to Nakuru Town and environs.

The chapter office also raised the concern that whilst the WhatsApp alert system is working very well, it is not always monitored by KPLC between 11pm and 6am. For this reason it was agreed with KPLC that any members wishing to report a problem during these hours to report on WhatsApp as usual, and if there is no response within 5 minutes, they can call KPLC Control on 0773 881 035.

For more information contact: john.kamau@kam.co.ke