The first layers of tarmac have been laid on the Rironi-Naivasha section of the Rironi-Mau Summit Highway, marking a major milestone in the construction of the long-awaited A8 corridor.

Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Director General Luka Kimeli witnessed the laying of tarmac on the approach road to the Ngarariga Interchange on Tuesday during an inspection of ongoing construction works between Rironi and Naivasha.

The development comes as the government races to meet its target of opening some sections of the upgraded highway to motorists later this month.

Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said last month that the Rironi-Naivasha section would be completed and opened to traffic by October 30.

The opening is expected to allow motorists to begin using the newly upgraded road as construction continues on other sections of the wider Rironi-Mau Summit corridor.

Government sets October 30 opening target

Chirchir said the government was targeting completion of the Rironi-Naivasha section within the set timeline.

“In one and a half months to come, the section of Rironi to Naivasha Road of the Rironi-Mau Summit construction will be complete,” Chirchir said.

He explained that the government would first open the upper side of the A8 corridor before proceeding with works and traffic arrangements on the A8 South section connecting Rironi, Mai Mahiu and Naivasha.

“After this we go to Naivasha side, that is, Rironi-Mau Mai Mahiu-Naivasha. We’ll open the upper side, that is A8, to traffic, then go to A8 South,” he said.

The Rironi-Mau Summit Highway is expected to improve connectivity between Nairobi, Naivasha and the western parts of Kenya while easing traffic along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru corridor.