Motorists using the busy James Gichuru–Rironi road could soon pay tolls. The National Treasury plans to bring in a private partner to finish the stalled upgrade and manage the highway.

The plan appears in Treasury's Quarterly Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Status Update. It describes the project as brownfield work involving completion of rehabilitation and outstanding civil works, followed by the "introduction of tolling under a Management Contract", Kenyans.co.ke reported.

Treasury approved the project note in September 2026. The next step is to select a private partner.

A key corridor

The 25km road runs from James Gichuru Junction near Westlands, past ABC Place, Kangemi, Uthiru, Kinoo and Gitaru, to Rironi, where it joins the Nairobi–Nakuru highway. It is part of the Northern Corridor linking the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the DRC.

The upgrade will provide three lanes in each direction, service roads and better drainage. KeNHA says it should cut travel time between James Gichuru and Rironi from about an hour to 30 minutes.

Delays and funding gaps

Construction started in August 2017 but has been slowed by funding problems. Rehabilitation works are valued at about Sh20 billion. The World Bank withdrew its support, forcing the government to look for other financing.

Treasury says the PPP would provide a "sustainable framework for the operation, maintenance and long-term management of the corridor", which carries heavy commuter, passenger and freight traffic.

Cost to residents

Tolls would start only after the rehabilitation is finished. No rates have been announced. Residents of Kangemi, Uthiru, Kinoo, Gitaru and nearby areas, who rely on the road daily, could face higher transport costs.

The government has turned increasingly to PPPs for road projects, including the Nairobi Expressway and the proposed 460km Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway, whose bids Treasury is evaluating.

Photo: Kenyans.co.ke (file)