The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has clarified that no tenders have yet been awarded for the construction of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit and Rironi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha road projects.
In a statement released on Tuesday, KeNHA explained that the concurrence received so far only permits the agency to begin negotiations with the preferred bidder and does not constitute an award of the tender.
“Kindly note that the PPP Committee has not yet approved the award for implementation of the project. The concurrence granted only allows KeNHA to commence negotiations with the preferred proponent in line with the PPP process. This is the process that is currently ongoing,” the authority stated.
The clarification comes amid public concern over delays in awarding the contracts for the two high-profile infrastructure projects, which are expected to decongest traffic and enhance connectivity along a critical economic corridor.
KeNHA Acting Director-General Luka Kimeli assured the public that the projects will be implemented transparently and with full accountability.
“All progress updates and decisions are being disclosed publicly in line with the PPP Act, Cap 430, and the National Treasury Circular of April 24, 2025, on Public Disclosure of Privately Initiated Proposals (PIPs),” Kimeli said.
According to KeNHA, three firms had initially submitted Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposals — Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering Company Limited (SDRBI), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in partnership with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and Multiplex Partners Company Limited. Multiplex was later disqualified for failing to pay the required non-refundable proposal review fee.
The remaining two firms received conditional approval to proceed to the Project Development Phase (PDP), conducted feasibility studies, and submitted their reports to KeNHA on September 15, 2025.
KeNHA also carried out stakeholder and public participation exercises along the project corridor between August 18 and September 8, 2025, in line with Article 10 of the Constitution, which emphasizes public participation in national projects.
