Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir reported that the Rironi–Mau Summit road has experienced slower progress because bitumen has been difficult to obtain over the last two months, a situation he attributes to current geopolitical tensions and disruptions in supply chains.

In a post on the social platform X following an on‑site inspection, Chirchir noted that the shortage has led to unexpected delays in the construction schedule.

Despite the bottleneck, the minister affirmed that the government is taking steps to accelerate work and minimise inconvenience for motorists and commercial users.

He added that the segment between Rironi and Naivasha is expected to be opened to traffic before the upcoming festive period, aiming to relieve congestion on the corridor.

During the visit, Chirchir observed the placement of the first layer of Dense Bituminous Macadam at Lari, describing the activity as a key milestone for the project.

The expansion, which began on 28 November 2025 at Manguo near Rironi, is intended to cut travel times, ease traffic jams and boost safety along the Nairobi‑Rift Valley route that serves Kenya and neighbouring countries.

Accompanied by the Director General of the National Transport and Safety Authority, the minister also checked that road furniture and signage meet the required standards.

He reported that more than a thousand pieces of heavy‑duty machinery have been deployed along the corridor and urged road users to follow traffic rules and stay alert around active construction zones.