The Ministry of Roads now explains that the rehabilitation of the Thika-Kenol stretch now dependent on availability of funds.
In a document to parliament, the ministry tol MPs that although routine maintenance is ongoing, the extent of deterioration on some sections requires additional funding for pavement strengthening and reconstruction.
The he Ngara-Kenol corridor, the ministry explains, comprises the Nairobi-Thika Superhighway (S1) and the Thika-Kenol section of the A2 road.
According to ministry’s records, Nairobi-Thika section received surface dressing in 2019, while localised repairs and pothole patching were carried out on service lanes in 2025.
Some sections of the non-motorised transport facilities were also rehabilitated last year.
On the Thika-Kenol section, the ministry said the road was recarpeted in 2022 but the planned surface dressing could not be undertaken because of budgetary constraints.
“The overlay hence experienced severe ravelling resulting from the effects of the excess rainfall experienced between October 2023 and May 2024,” the ministry said.
The Government is now undertaking maintenance works that include drainage improvements, localised base repairs, surface dressing on selected sections, road marking and installation of road furniture.
However, the ministry said the current contract does not have sufficient quantities to provide asphalt concrete overlay across all the severely raveled sections.
It has therefore opted to redirect funds initially earmarked for surface dressing to asphalt concrete regulation on more severely damaged sections.
The ministry said the Thika-Kenol section was deteriorating faster than the adjoining Thika Superhighway and Kenol-Marua sections because of an inferior pavement structure.
“The road section requires additional funding for pavement strengthening,” the ministry said in a statement before Parliament .
The section is part of the Government’s planned upgrading of the Thika-Kenol-Marua corridor, but the ministry said major rehabilitation would only be undertaken after funding is secured, procurement completed and statutory requirements fulfilled.
The ministry attributed the wider deterioration of the highway to heavy traffic and weather, while poor drainage and limitations in the original pavement design have particularly affected service roads and pedestrian facilities.
It said the non-motorised transport facilities were built with a 35mm asphalt concrete wearing course, while many sections have poor drainage.
“Due to budgetary constraints, delays have been experienced in undertaking the required treatments, including base repairs, reconstruction of the failed sections and drainage improvement works,” the ministry said.
The Government currently has performance-based maintenance contracts covering the Nairobi-Ruiru, Ruiru-Thika and Thika-Kenol sections.
The Nairobi-Ruiru and Ruiru-Thika contracts began on June 9, 2025, and are scheduled to run until June 8, 2027.
The Thika-Kenol contract started on November 24, 2025, and is due to end on November 23, 2027.
The maintenance allocation for the roads rose from Sh1.4 billion in the 2025/26 financial year to Sh1.65 billion in 2026/27.
Mathioya MP Edwin Gichuki, who had sought the explanation over the deteriorating road, said some proposed safety interventions also lacked clear timelines.
“The common factor here is the issue of additional funding,” Gichuki said, questioning when resources would be made available to improve the road.
He also raised concerns over the poor state of street lighting and called for a footbridge at Montezuma in Kabati to reduce accidents and traffic congestion.
The MP further sought timelines for construction of bus bays at Roysambu, Githurai and Witeithie, as well as a climbing lane at the Blue Post section in Thika.
