NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced plans to advertise the construction of a new highway linking Mombasa and Nairobi, part of a broader multi-trillion-shilling infrastructure expansion strategy aimed at enhancing trade, regional connectivity, and economic growth.
Speaking on Wednesday during the International Conference on Nuclear Energy in Nairobi, Ruto said the project is part of a 2,800-kilometre nationwide road rollout, with projected costs between Sh1.3 trillion and Sh1.9 trillion.
“We will be advertising another highway from Mombasa to Nairobi, as well as another 2,800 km of highways. This investment is expected to cost about Sh1.3 trillion to Sh1.9 trillion. We are slowly finding innovative mechanisms on how to deploy resources in that space,” the President said.
The proposed Mombasa–Nairobi highway is expected to ease traffic congestion along one of Kenya’s busiest trade corridors, which serves as a critical link not only within the country but also to the wider East African region.
The initiative aligns with a larger government vision to double Kenya’s road network over the next seven years, improving the movement of goods and services across the country.
Ruto also highlighted ongoing expansions, including the Nairobi–Nakuru highway extension to Malaba, which will further strengthen Kenya–Uganda trade integration.
He referenced the recent launch of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension, connecting Kenya to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, enhancing logistics and regional trade efficiency.
“Business is about finding ways to move goods cost-effectively. While we have significantly invested in road infrastructure, we believe what we have done is not sufficient,” the President said.
The highway development forms part of a broader economic strategy positioning Kenya as a leading investment destination.
During the Kenya International Investment Conference, co-hosted with Mozambique President Daniel Chapo, the government announced investment commitments worth $2.9 billion from 20 investors across nine countries.
Key sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, business process outsourcing, healthcare, energy, and real estate.
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Ruto emphasized that the government is aligning export processing zones and special economic zones, alongside investments in infrastructure and skills development, to cultivate a competitive workforce.
Reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, including tax adjustments, a One-Stop Investment Centre, and energy tariff reductions, are expected to attract both domestic and international investors.
“These initiatives are positioning Kenya as a premium investment destination, offering stability, predictability, and openness, anchored on strong macroeconomic and microeconomic fundamentals,” Ruto said.
The Mombasa–Nairobi highway is expected to play a central role in these ambitions, improving transport efficiency along Kenya’s most vital economic corridor and reinforcing the country’s position as a regional trade hub.
