President William Ruto announced that the Rironi‑Mau Summit road will be built for KSh191 billion, compared with the KSh249 billion price tag of the earlier contract with a French firm, a saving of roughly KSh60 billion.

The French contractor was awarded the project in 2020 but failed to construct any kilometre over six years and subsequently sued the government, prompting Ruto to seek assistance from French President Emmanuel Macron to resolve the dispute.

Rather than continue a costly court battle that could have cost between $200 million (KSh25.8 bn) and $300 million (KSh38.7 bn) with no road delivered, the government paid $50 million (KSh6.4 bn) to exit the contract.

Construction under the new agreement began in November 2026 and, according to the president, has already reached 40 percent completion within less than a year.

The revised project expands the road from a 175 km dualling planned under the French deal to a 210 km stretch, including a 70 km six‑lane segment between Naivasha and Nakuru, whereas the earlier contract called for only four lanes.

Motorists will also benefit from lower tolls, with the new arrangement setting charges at KSh8 per kilometre versus KSh12 per kilometre under the previous proposal.

Ruto made the remarks at the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association Annual General Meeting and Conference in Nyali, Mombasa County, dismissing criticism of the project as propaganda and emphasizing value for public funds.

He also announced that the government has secured resources for feasibility studies to extend the dual carriageway to Malaba via Eldoret and to the western corridor (Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu), and that plans to dual the Nairobi‑Mombasa highway will be unveiled soon with construction targeted for next year.

Ruto assured that innovative financing will be used to fund these projects without raising taxes or increasing public debt, underscoring his commitment to accountable use of Kenya’s resources.