Newly appointed Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Director General Eng. Luka Kimeli has a “full in-tray” as President William Ruto’s administration has embarked on an ambitious roads modernisation program.
Specifically, the announcement by the KeNHA Board Chairman Winfrida Ngumi on Wednesday February 18, 2026 coincides with the dualling of the Rironi–Nakuru-Mau Summit Road, a crucial transport artery that connects Nairobi and a number of East African countries.
President Ruto launched the long-awaited expansion on November 28, 2025, which also connects Nairobi and Mombasa with the Western part of the country, describing it as a gateway for prosperity and transformation.
President Ruto has identified roads as one of the key pillars of his Bottom Up Transformation Agenda (BETA), pledging to deliver world-class projects to cut travel time, transport costs, and spur economic growth and create employment.
Specifically, President Ruto has announced plans to increase the country’s tarmac roads from the current 20,000 kilometres to 28,000 kilometres in ten years.
“We are already on course, we have mapped out what the areas are and we believe that we can raise the resources to undertake this transformation,” he said during a meeting with diplomats at State House, Nairobi two weeks ago.
Implemented through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) between China Roads and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Consortium, and Shandong, the Rironi-Mau Summit road is one of the most consequential projects initiated by President Ruto.
President Ruto said that the road project will boost regional trade, modernise transport, create jobs and set Kenya as a regional leader in delivering large-scale infrastructure, once it is completed.
The road is about 175 kilometres long, and it is expected to be completed in two years.
Three days ago, KeNHA announced the temporary closure of a section of highway between Rironi and James Gichuru Road Junction as construction works moved to top gear.
The Rironi-Mau Summit is a crucial road artery that connects Nairobi and the Port of Mombasa with other East African countries like Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, supporting tourism, agriculture and cross-border business.
Meanwhile, the Board has expressed confidence that Eng. Kimeli is well placed to lead KeNHA, citing his long experience in the roads sub-section, spanning 27 years. He has been serving as the Acting Director General since last year.
Mr Ngumi said the appointment of Eng. Kimeli follows a competitive and transparent recruitment process, conducted in accordance with the Kenya Roads Act, 2007 and relevant applicable public service procedures.
“Eng. Kimeli brings to this role Twenty-Seven (27) years of distinguished experience in infrastructure development, strategic program delivery, and public sector leadership within the Roads Sub-Sector,” Ms Winfrida Ngumi said on behalf of the board.
“The Board expresses full confidence in Eng. Kimeli’s capacity to steer the Authority towards greater efficiency, accountability, and service excellence in delivering safe, resilient and world-class highway infrastructure that supports national growth and regional integration,” Ms Ngumi stated.
KeNHA traditionally plays a crucial role in the roads sub-sector by ensuring that the country’s highways and strategic long distance roads are of the right standards.
Other key road projects that Eng. Kimeli will be required to focus on is Nairobi Western Bypass, Naivasha-Njambini Road Project, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Highway, Kainuk Bridge, Mombasa-Mtwapa-Kilifi Road and the upgrading of Kibwezi-Mutomo-Kitui-Kabati-Migwani Road among others.
Others are: Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway, Isiolo-Modogashe-Wajir-Elwak-Rhamu-Mandera Road, Busia-Kisumu-Kericho Road as well as the National Integration and Accessibility Program.
