The government has begun emergency land acquisitions to accommodate design changes on the KSh183.7 billion Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit toll highway, raising the possibility of an increase in the project’s overall cost.
The National Land Commission (NLC) is acquiring additional land in areas including Kijabe, Limuru, Kirenga and Naivasha after contractors proposed new interchanges, bridges and underpasses that were not included in the original design.
A Transport Ministry official said the acquisitions were being carried out under an “early entry” arrangement aimed at preventing construction delays, with works on the highway already underway.
NLC begins compulsory land acquisition
NLC Chairman Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy recently listed about 25 hectares spread across Kiambu, Nakuru and Nyandarua counties for compulsory acquisition to facilitate the revised designs.
The Treasury had allocated KSh816 million for land compensation associated with the highway project.
However, officials have indicated that the additional acquisitions could push the final project cost higher once the newly acquired parcels are valued and compensation determined.
The additional infrastructure is expected to address emerging engineering and traffic requirements along the major highway linking Nairobi to western Kenya and the Rift Valley.
Highway project targets 2027 completion
The government is targeting completion of the Rironi-Naivasha section by December 2026, while the entire Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway is expected to be completed by June 2027.
The project is being developed as a toll road and is intended to improve connectivity, reduce travel times and support movement between Nairobi and key economic centres in the Rift Valley and western Kenya.
However, the need for additional land and changes to the original design could introduce further costs and potentially affect the project’s implementation timeline.
Officials are expected to establish the final financial impact after completing valuations of the newly acquired land.
