President William Ruto has defended the decision to cancel a French firm’s contract for the Nairobi-Mau Summit highway, saying the new Chinese-backed arrangement will deliver a longer road at a lower cost.
Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, November 12, Ruto said the new project would cost KSh191 billion, compared to KSh249 billion under the previous French contract, saving the country close to KSh60 billion.
He said the new arrangement would also cover 210 kilometres, against 175 kilometres under the French deal.
“These are facts. Concrete, cold facts,” Ruto said, while outlining the differences between the two projects.
The President further said 70 kilometres between Naivasha and Nakuru would have six lanes, compared to the four-lane design under the previous arrangement.
He also cited lower toll charges as another advantage, saying motorists would pay KSh8 per kilometre under the current deal against KSh12 per kilometre proposed under the French contract.
Ruto said the previous contract was awarded to a French firm in 2020 but had stalled for six years, with no construction taking place as the government became embroiled in a court dispute with the contractor.
He revealed that he personally approached French President Emmanuel Macron to negotiate an exit from the agreement, arguing that Kenya wanted a road and not a prolonged court battle.
The government eventually agreed to pay the French consortium US$50 million (approximately KSh6.5 billion) to terminate the contract.
Ruto said the settlement was cheaper than allowing the legal dispute to continue, which he estimated could have cost the country between US$200 million and US$300 million.
The President said construction under the new arrangement began in November 2025 and had reached 40 per cent completion by November this year.
The highway project is being implemented through public-private partnerships involving China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and another Chinese contractor, Shandong Hi-Speed, which was awarded part of the wider route.
The government has said the project is expected to improve transport along the busy corridor linking Nairobi to the Rift Valley and western Kenya.
Ruto also announced plans to extend the dual carriageway beyond Mau Summit towards Eldoret and Malaba, with additional connections to Kericho, Kisii and Kisumu.
He said the government had already set aside resources for a feasibility study to guide the proposed expansion.
The President also promised to unveil plans to dual the Nairobi-Mombasa highway within the next year, saying the government would pursue the project without imposing additional taxes or debt on Kenyans.