A recent survey has revealed that a significant portion of the national budget continues to be allocated to road development, with a clear emphasis on improving and maintaining the country’s road infrastructure. The Economic Survey 2025 shows that the road sector consistently receives the largest share of resources, focusing on upgrading trunk and primary roads, improving secondary and minor roads, and maintaining existing networks.
The total budget for roads is expected to increase by 29.1% to Sh171.9 billion in 2024/25, a substantial rise from previous years. This increase reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, boosting economic growth, and promoting trade and mobility across the country. The development expenditure on roads is also projected to rise from Sh66.7 billion in 2023/24 to Sh102.4 billion in 2024/25.
In addition to new road construction, the budget also includes a significant allocation for maintenance and repair, which is set to rise by 4.5%, from Sh66.5 billion in 2023/24 to Sh69.5 billion in 2024/25. This increase highlights the government’s focus on preserving and extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure.
A major focus of the country’s infrastructure development strategy is the upgrading of low volume sealed roads (LVSR) to bitumen standard. This initiative is crucial for improving connectivity, especially in rural areas, and fostering better rural-urban integration. Upgrading these gravel and earth roads to bitumen standard is expected to stimulate economic activities by improving access to markets, healthcare, and other essential services.
During the year under review, roadworks were carried out across almost all counties, with the exception of Lamu. A total of 2,456.7 kilometres of roads were maintained or graded, with an estimated cost of Sh255.2 billion. The survey’s road inventory and condition assessment recorded a total of 239,000 kilometres of roads nationwide, with 165,000 kilometres of classified roads and 74,000 kilometres of unclassified roads.
The length of superhighways more than doubled in 2024, reaching 365 kilometres, largely due to the reclassification of key roads such as the Dongo Kundu bypass, the Kipevu Link Road, and the Nairobi Southern Bypass, which were upgraded to Class S status. Furthermore, the total length of bitumen roads increased from 23,000 kilometres in 2023 to 24,000 kilometres in the review period. The length of national trunk roads and primary roads under bitumen also saw a significant increase of 9.1%, reaching 21,000 kilometres.
Several major road projects were undertaken in the past year, including the construction of the 453.0 km Lamu-Ijara-Garissa Road, which is 52% complete and estimated to cost Sh18 billion. Other notable projects include the 8.96 km Mombasa Port Area Development Project (MPARD) phase 2 road, which is 93.1% complete and has an estimated cost of Sh24.3 billion. The Isebania-Kisii road project is nearing completion, with 98.1% of work done, while the Kulamawe-Modogashe road project is 24.7% complete.
In addition to road construction, the survey also highlights significant progress in rail infrastructure. The construction of the 2.8 km Miritini Meter Gauge Railway-Mombasa Terminus and Makupa Causeway, estimated to cost Sh4.8 billion, was 98% complete by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, the Riruta/Lenana-Ngong line, which spans 12.5 kilometres and is expected to cost Sh1.2 billion, is 12% complete.
These ongoing projects and the continued budgetary support for road development reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s infrastructure, improving transportation networks, and fostering economic growth across regions.
