Concerns Arise as Kiambu Road Upgrade Project Faces New Delays
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has unexpectedly withdrawn the tender for expanding Kiambu Road into a four-lane highway, just days after extending an invitation to Chinese construction companies to bid for the project.
In an official announcement made on Tuesday, July 22, KeNHA declared that the previous notice, which had called on qualified Chinese contractors to submit bids, had been revoked and was no longer valid. The Authority, however, did not give a specific reason for the cancellation.
Although KeNHA did not release an explanation, speculation points to several possible reasons. These could include unresolved financial issues, or a need to re-evaluate the entire project to ensure its long-term success and cost-effectiveness.
The cancellation is likely to cause further delays in the long-anticipated road project. Kiambu Road is notorious for its heavy traffic congestion and frequent accidents, and the expansion was expected to bring much-needed relief to daily commuters.
Sources close to the matter also suggest that the cancellation may be linked to concerns raised by some stakeholders over how the tendering process was being handled. A section of the public criticized KeNHA for limiting bidding to Chinese companies only, arguing that this could stifle competition and lead to overpriced contracts.
Initially, in a tender notice issued on July 15, KeNHA revealed that the government had secured funding from the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank to finance the expansion.
The project was set to cover the stretch from Pangani in Nairobi, through Muthaiga, and all the way to Ndumberi in Kiambu County. The total estimated cost was Ksh38.7 billion.
“The Government of Kenya has received financial commitment from China via the China Export Import Bank to support the Capacity Enhancement of the Pangani–Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi (B32) Road,” KeNHA said in the earlier notice.
KeNHA had planned to implement the project under the FIDIC Silver Book arrangement, which involves Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracting — a format known for clearly assigning risk and responsibility to the contractor.
In addition to road expansion, the project included the construction of several new infrastructure elements. These were to include bridges and flyovers at key junctions like Muthaiga Golf Club, Mua Road Overpass, Coffee Garden U-turn, Tala Road Overpass, Ridgeways U-turn, Runda U-turn, and Kirigiti Junction Bridge.
The blueprint also called for the installation of around six footbridges along various sections of the road to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce fatal road accidents.
While this cancellation halts immediate progress, it has sparked broader conversations around transparency, competitiveness, and inclusivity in Kenya’s public infrastructure projects.
As commuters continue to deal with daily traffic bottlenecks on Kiambu Road, many will be watching closely to see how the government responds — whether by re-advertising the tender, opening it to more bidders, or revisiting the project’s entire design and financing structure.
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