President William Ruto's Cabinet has approved the upgrading of the 23.5km Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi road, a project expected to ease traffic congestion between Nairobi and Kiambu counties.

The Cabinet, in a despatch issued on Tuesday, said the project will enhance traffic flow by upgrading the road from a two-lane single carriageway to a four-lane dual carriageway. 

This will also comprise bypasses, non-motorised transport lanes, commuter facilities and access roads to increase capacity and reduce travel times.

Further, bridges will be set up along the Muthaiga Golf Club Spur, Mua Road Overpass, DCI Overpass, Coffee Garden U-turn, Runda U-turn and Junction Bridge. 

Once complete, the dual road will reduce traffic congestion along Muthaiga, Runda, Ridgeways and Kiambu Town, especially during peak hours. 

Read Also: Former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal 8 Year Jail Term Overturned

"The dualling is part of the government’s broader effort to modernise Nairobi’s metropolitan transport network in line with Kenya Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals on infrastructure and mobility," read the despatch.

The upgrading of the road was expected to take place early this year, but the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) cancelled the tender shortly after placing an ad for the project. 

The advertisement drew criticism from the public for limiting bidders to Chinese companies, citing that it violated Kenya's Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, which gives preference to Kenyan companies in the procurement process. 

Following the tender’s cancellation, it remained uncertain whether the government intended to continue with the project.