It's a go for highly anticipated Rironi-Mau Summit road!

There is good news for Nakuru residents as the government resumes plans for the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit road.

This is after President William Ruto announced the government’s decision to embark on the project which had been on hold for some time.

President Ruto in his statement posted on X indicated plans to resume the project which he emphasized on its significance in easing traffic between Nairobi and the Western Part of Kenya.

He explained the plans to break ground for the project by the end of this year.

“The Rironi-Mau Summit Road is a key artery in our infrastructure network. Its construction will help ease traffic between Nairobi and western Kenya. We hope to break ground before the end of the year,” read part of the post.

The president further indicated meeting the leaders from the county to discuss priority development projects to align with the new budget realities.

“At @StateHouseKenya Nairobi, I met leaders from Nakuru County to discuss key priority development programs and align them with the new budget realities,” continued the post.

Mtaa Wangu can confirm that the President met the top leadership of the county led by Governor Susan Kihika and her deputy David Kones, Woman rep Liza Chelule and all the 11 members of parliament from the county.

Only the county senator Tabitha Karanja was missing from the picture taken at state- house and posted by the president.

County Chief of staff Dr Peter Ketyenya revealed that the president gave a directive that a fresh tendering process be commenced before the project can begin early January.

This is after a contract which was given to a consortium of French firms to construct the 233 kilometre road at Sh 180 billion was cancelled.

The project was initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2021 but could not kick off after the Kenya Kwanza administration put it on hold after reviewing the cost.

Dr Ketyenya underscored the significance of the project in easing traffic, improving the county's economic activities as well as offering employment opportunities for the county residents.

“The project is expected to take three years and will offer employment opportunities to our people. Once complete, it will reduce the travel time between Nakuru and Nairobi by half,” said Dr Ketyenya.

The project will see the road expanded to four lanes up from two with interchanges and flyovers in major centres.