President William Ruto has announced plans to dual the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway within the next 12 months, promising that the multibillion-shilling project will be undertaken without introducing additional taxes or borrowing more money.
Speaking on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during the Kenya Comprehensive Schools Heads Association (KECSHA) Annual General Meeting and Conference in Nyali, Mombasa, Ruto said his administration had already developed a plan to upgrade the busy highway.
The President said the government would soon explain how it intends to finance the project, adding that construction would be completed within one year.
“We already have a plan. In a very short time, we are going to inform the country how we are going to dual the road from Mombasa to Nairobi, and we are going to do it within the next one year,” Ruto stated.
However, he did not disclose the estimated project cost, identify the sections that would be prioritised or provide a specific date for the commencement of construction.
How Ruto Plans to Finance Nairobi-Mombasa Highway Expansion
Ruto maintained that the government would not introduce new taxes or accumulate additional debt to finance the proposed highway expansion.
Instead, he indicated that his administration would explore what he described as innovative and creative financing approaches to raise the money required for the project.
The President did not explain which financing mechanisms would be adopted or how much the government expected to raise.
He promised to provide a detailed explanation of the proposed financing arrangements in a subsequent public briefing.
Addressing the school administrators, Ruto said the highway project reflected the government’s development plans and urged Kenyans to support its agenda.
“I decided to say these things in this intellectual gathering so that I can encourage you that the country is moving in the right direction, and we should go together,” he said.
Why Nairobi-Mombasa Highway Expansion Matters to Kenya
The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, also known as the A8, stretches approximately 482 kilometres and serves as one of Kenya’s most important transport routes.
The road connects the Port of Mombasa to Nairobi, providing a major passage for goods entering the country before being transported to other parts of East Africa.
It also supports regional trade by connecting Kenya to landlocked countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite the existence of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the highway remains heavily used by motorists, public transport operators and long-distance freight vehicles.
Its current two-lane sections have faced persistent traffic congestion, road safety concerns and delays, particularly involving heavy commercial trucks.
What the Proposed Highway Upgrade Could Mean for Motorists and Businesses
Expanding the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway into a dual carriageway is expected to improve traffic movement and reduce congestion along the busy transport corridor.
The proposed upgrade could also improve the movement of goods between the Port of Mombasa and major commercial centres across the region.
For businesses that depend on road transport, reduced delays could help lower logistics costs and improve the reliability of cargo deliveries.
However, the project’s actual impact will depend on its final design, financing arrangements, construction schedule and implementation.
The government is yet to provide details on the sections to be upgraded, the projected expenditure and the expected construction timeline beyond the President’s 12-month pledge.
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