Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that construction of the long-awaited Rironi–Mau Summit Highway will begin this August, promising it will be a major catalyst for economic growth and improved road safety in Kenya. Speaking during an Economic Empowerment event in Nakuru Town East on Sunday, Kindiki described the project as a game-changer for transportation across the country.
“The construction of the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway will transform the movement of people and goods between Nairobi and Western Kenya, making it safer, faster, and more efficient,” said Kindiki. He emphasized that the highway, part of the vital Northern Corridor and Trans African Highway, will boost regional integration within the East African Community.
The Deputy President highlighted other ongoing government development efforts, including a rapid scale-up in electricity connectivity. “Since 2022, the number of homes connected to the national grid has risen from 2.7 million to 10.6 million. In the next three to four years, we aim to connect every home in Kenya,” he stated.
On the healthcare front, Kindiki noted significant progress under the Social Health Authority (SHA), with coverage expanding from 8 million to 25 million Kenyans. He reiterated the government’s pledge to ensure that every household has access to both medical insurance and decent housing.
To support grassroots entrepreneurship, the Deputy President unveiled the NYOTA Programme, aimed at uplifting small businesses. Under the initiative, 70 enterprises in each ward will receive KSh 50,000 in funding. “Tunaamini ukiinua watu mashinani, hiyo ndiyo bottom-up,” he said, reinforcing the government’s economic model of empowering the base.
Kindiki also underlined the role of sports in national unity and development, citing Kenya’s hosting of international football matches for the first time since 1987 during the ongoing CHAN tournament. He praised sports for transcending tribal lines and pledged continued investment in infrastructure, including the renovation and construction of stadiums like Kasarani, Nyayo, and Talanta.
“We are committed to building a united nation through sports, infrastructure, and economic empowerment,” he concluded.
