The government says the ongoing Mau Mau Road Lot 2 project is converting historic liberation routes once used by Mau Mau freedom fighters into a modern transport corridor aimed at improving connectivity and economic activity in Murang’a and Nyeri counties.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the 154-kilometre project, being implemented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), will upgrade the entire corridor to heavy-duty bitumen standards while preserving the historical significance of the region.
According to Omollo, the road begins at Mairi near the Kiambu–Murang’a border and passes through Kinyona, Karinga and Mununga before extending northwards through Ichichi, Thuthu, Wanjerere, Kagongo, Mioro and Kiamuturi, ending at Kairo on the Nyeri County border.
“The Mau Mau Road Lot 2 project is transforming the historic liberation routes once used by Mau Mau freedom fighters into modern roads that now liberate communities from decades of transport challenges,” Omollo said.
He added that the upgraded corridor would also provide a strategic inter-county connection through the Kinyona–Gatare–Njabini road, improving movement between Murang’a and Nyandarua counties.
The PS said construction was progressing well, with a combined 38 kilometres in the Ichichi, Kiruri, Wanjerere and Mioro sections having reached the top upgrade layer. He said works were advancing to the cement-stabilised gravel sub-base stage before graded crushed stone and final asphalt surfacing are applied.
Omollo said the project was expected to support tea farmers by improving access for green leaf collection vehicles serving KTDA factories such as Mununga and Ikumbi.
“Reliable all-weather access now enables green leaf collection vehicles serving KTDA factories such as Mununga and Ikumbi to move efficiently, reducing post-harvest losses and lowering transport costs,” he said.
He said dairy and horticultural farmers were also benefiting from improved access to the Thika–Kenol–Marua Highway and other markets, which he said would stimulate trade, increase household incomes and attract investment into the area.
The road is being built to withstand the steep terrain and heavy rainfall along the Aberdare slopes and includes reinforced box culverts, pipe culverts and engineered drainage systems intended to reduce flooding, landslides and soil erosion.
Omollo also linked the project to improved security and public safety, saying better road access would support emergency response, security patrols and access to government services.
“Better road access enhances emergency response, supports more effective security patrols and brings remote communities closer to essential government services,” he said.
He added that the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration was working with infrastructure agencies to promote road safety awareness and coordinate security interventions along the corridor.
The Mau Mau Road project is one of the major road infrastructure programmes currently underway in the Aberdare region and is expected to improve transport links between tea-growing areas and major national highways.
Read: Mau Mau Road Project Spurs Economic Revival Across Central Kenya
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