KeNHA Plans to Construct Three New Highways Set to Stitch Together Rift Valley Counties

Kenya, January 20, 2026 - Plans are underway to reshape transport across the Rift Valley, with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) unveiling three major highway projects designed to link six counties and unlock economic activity in long-neglected areas.

The proposed roads will cut across Nandi, Bomet, Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and Narok, creating new transport corridors intended to bring communities closer to markets, schools and healthcare facilities.

At the heart of the plan is a 150-kilometre highway stretching from the Kenegut Border through Mbogo Valley, Kamelilo, Maraba, Kabirer, Sirwa, Lessos, Chuyiet, Kipka Bus to Nyaru. The road will connect Kericho, Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet, forming a direct link between the South and North Rift Valley regions.

KeNHA says the route is expected to ease movement across county borders while improving access to essential services in rural areas that have long struggled with poor connectivity.

A second project will see the construction of the 143-kilometre Embomoss–Koiwa–Chebole–Siongiroi–Labotiet–Gorgor–Ambosi–Dikirr–Kilgoris–Enoo Saen–Anganga–Mariwa highway. This road will link Bomet and Narok counties, improving travel between the two and providing easier access to Kericho and Nakuru for residents and businesses.

The third initiative focuses on upgrading the Kericho–Ainamoi–Poiywek–Chepkoiyo–Koisegem–Fort Ternan–Gilimori–Kenegut Border corridor. Spanning more than 110 kilometres, the road will strengthen transport between Kericho and Nandi counties while connecting key economic centres such as Ainamoi and Kipkelion West.

According to KeNHA, all three projects will be financed through loans from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Preparatory work has already begun, with the Authority inviting qualified consulting firms to submit expressions of interest for feasibility studies and preliminary engineering designs.