The government has approved the dualling of the 23.5-kilometre Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi road (Kiambu Road) in a bid to ease traffic congestion and improve mobility between Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
According to a Cabinet brief released on Tuesday, the project will expand the existing two-lane highway into a dual carriageway, complete with bypasses, loops, and access roads designed to increase capacity and reduce travel times.
Cabinet said the upgraded road will also feature non-motorised transport lanes and commuter facilities to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The corridor, serving Muthaiga, Runda, Ridgeways, and Kiambu Town, currently experiences chronic traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours,” the statement noted.
The project is part of the government’s broader effort to modernise Nairobi’s metropolitan transport network in line with Kenya Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on infrastructure and mobility.
Once completed, the road is expected to ease movement between the capital and Kiambu, boost economic productivity, and improve the commuting experience for thousands of residents who use the route daily.
The Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi corridor is one of the busiest routes connecting Nairobi’s northern suburbs with Kiambu County, a rapidly growing residential and commercial area.
In July, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said the project would significantly improve traffic flow along the eastern part of the Nairobi Metropolitan area. It targets key corridors, including parts of Kiambu Road and the Thika Superhighway.
“The project will also improve the level of service and safety for road users and enhance accessibility through service roads and non-motorised transport facilities,” KeNHA stated.
According to KeNHA, the project involves upgrading the existing two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane dual highway with service lanes on both sides.
The works will be undertaken under the Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) model, guided by the FIDIC Silver Book — a standard international contract framework designed to give the employer cost and time certainty by placing greater performance responsibility on the contractor.
KeNHA further noted that six pedestrian footbridges will be installed along the route to enhance safety for residents and commuters.
The project covers the Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi stretch and adjoining spurs such as Ridgeways Road, Kiambu Road to Thika Road, and UN Avenue through Runda.
by DAMARIS KIILU
