The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has kicked off the hunt for a contractor to drag Kiambu Road; officially the Pangani–Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi (B32) corridor out of two-lane purgatory.
A fresh procurement notice invites Chinese firms – or joint ventures fronted by them, to pre-qualify by 22 August 2025, 11:00 a.m. sharp.
Why only Chinese outfits? China Exim Bank is footing the entire bill, and its loan terms insist the main builder hails from home turf.
When completed, the upgrade will convert the current two-lane route into a modern four-lane dual carriageway, complete with two-lane service roads and continuous pedestrian walkways. Commuters can also expect new bridges near Muthaiga Golf Club, Ridgeways, and Runda, plus fresh interchanges at Kamiti and Bypass junctions to keep traffic flowing even during peak hours.
KeNHA notes that the contract uses the FIDIC Silver Book model, meaning the winning consortium will handle design, engineering, and construction under a single turnkey arrangement. Officials have pencilled in 36 months for construction and a 24-month defects-notification period once the road opens.
Beyond the main trunk, the job covers an extensive web of spur roads and bypasses, including Evergreen-UN Avenue through Runda, Mua Road, and the Githunguri–Sasini–Boma stretch. Six footbridges are also slated for busy pedestrian crossings to curb rising accident rates.
What’s on the menu?
- Four-lane dual carriageway running from Pangani to Ndumberi, with two-lane service roads hugging both sides.
- Continuous pedestrian walkways, bus bays, and six footbridges.
- Shiny new interchanges at Kamiti/Kiambu Road, Banana/Kiambu Road, and the Northern Bypass junction.
- Bridges popping up near Muthaiga Golf Club, DCI headquarters, Coffee Garden U-turn, Tala Road, Ridgeways underpass, and Kirigiti junction.
Money and milestones
- Contract model: FIDIC Silver Book – design-and-build, lump-sum, no nasty surprises.
- Construction window: 36 months once the contractor lands on site.
- Warranty: 24 months (officially called the defects-notification period).
- Entry fee: Show an average annual construction turnover of USD 250 million over the last five years. Smaller players can team up, but the consortium must still clear the USD 250 million bar.
Roads getting the facelift
| Category | Stretch |
|---|---|
| Main trunk | Pangani → Muthaiga → Kiambu → Ndumberi |
| Bypasses | Githunguri Rd – Sasini – Boma Rd, Riabai – Kirigini B Rd |
| Spur roads | Ridgeways → Thika Rd, Evergreen → UN Ave (Runda), Wambui Rd, Muthaiga North, Mua Park/Serengeti Ave, among others |
Nairobi motorist will sure be hoping that construction starts quickly.
