East Africa’s busiest trade artery is set for a fresh push toward expansion as the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) moves to kick off a major feasibility study for the Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba highway upgrade.
The authority has invited consulting firms to bid for the technical assignment, which will shape the future of the 245-kilometre stretch that connects Kenya’s interior to the Malaba border point with Uganda. The road forms a key section of the Northern Corridor, a transport lifeline that carries cargo from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
The planned study is not just a routine assessment. It is expected to determine whether expanding the highway can be done in a way that is technically sound, environmentally responsible, socially acceptable and financially viable. It will also guide how the project could be delivered under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, where private investors help fund construction and recoup costs through mechanisms such as tolling.
Funding for the consultancy has been secured from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral lender that supports large infrastructure projects across developing economies. The assignment is expected to run for about 12 months once it begins, with implementation projected to start in September 2026 after procurement processes are completed.
According to KeNHA, the feasibility work will go beyond engineering design. It will include traffic forecasting, environmental and climate risk analysis, social impact assessments, and financial modelling. The study will also explore the introduction of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), which are digital tools used to monitor traffic, manage congestion, and improve road safety and efficiency.
The highway is currently under pressure from increasing volumes of freight traffic, especially heavy trucks serving cross-border trade routes. Over the years, this has led to frequent congestion, slower travel times and rising transport costs for logistics companies and consumers. The situation has also raised concerns about road wear and maintenance costs, given the heavy axle loads passing through the corridor daily.
KeNHA estimates that the consultancy will require between 2,000 and 2,200 professional staff-days. This will involve a mix of local and international experts in highway engineering, transport economics, environmental safeguards, climate resilience planning and PPP structuring. The authority is seeking firms with proven experience in large-scale road infrastructure projects and advisory work for multilaterally funded developments.
If the feasibility study concludes that the project is viable, it will provide the government with the detailed framework needed to proceed to the procurement of the actual highway expansion. This includes deciding on the final design standards, cost estimates, financing structure and the most suitable PPP arrangement.
Kenya has increasingly turned to PPP models to fund major infrastructure projects as public debt pressures grow and demand for modern transport networks increases. Similar approaches have already been used in projects like expressway development in urban areas, setting a precedent for private sector participation in road financing.
The Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba upgrade is seen as a strategic investment that could significantly improve regional trade efficiency. By easing congestion along the Northern Corridor, the project is expected to strengthen Kenya’s position as a logistics hub for East and Central Africa and support faster movement of goods across borders.
For now, the process remains at the consultancy stage, but the outcome of this study will play a decisive role in shaping one of the country’s most important infrastructure undertakings in the coming years.
Leave a comment