2 Hours to Cover 5km: Treasury Makes Major Move on Athi River–Namanga Road

Motorists travelling to Kitengela could eventually get relief from one of the area’s most frustrating traffic bottlenecks after the National Treasury approved an initial proposal to expand the Athi River–Namanga road into a dual carriageway.

The proposed upgrade targets a notorious stretch where drivers can spend at least two hours covering just five kilometres between the Athi River interchange on Mombasa Road and Kitengela town, particularly during evening rush hours and weekends.

The 136-kilometre A2 highway runs from Athi River through Kitengela, Isinya and Kajiado to Ilbisil and the Namanga border with Tanzania. It serves thousands of commuters and supports businesses, freight transport and cross-border trade.

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate approved the project’s concept note in September 2026, paving the way for further assessment. The National Treasury subsequently gave initial approval to the proposal, marking an important step towards the planned expansion.

The project aims to increase the road’s capacity, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety along a corridor that has struggled to keep pace with growing demand. Kitengela’s rapid population growth and its popularity among Nairobi workers have added pressure to existing road infrastructure.

The proposed expansion could also benefit traders and transporters using the route to move goods between Kenya and Tanzania. The highway forms part of the Cairo–Cape Town Trans-African Highway and provides access to Konza Technopolis and growing economic centres in Machakos and Kajiado counties.

However, motorists should not expect immediate relief. The Treasury’s initial approval does not mean construction has started. Further feasibility studies, project planning, financing arrangements and procurement steps must be completed before implementation can proceed.

The government plans to pursue the project through a public-private partnership, which could involve private investors in financing and developing the road. Details such as the final project cost and construction timeline have not yet been confirmed.

For Kitengela residents, the proposal offers hope that daily journeys may become less stressful in the future. But until the remaining stages are completed and construction begins, motorists will continue to face the congestion that has made the Athi River–Kitengela stretch a major headache.

Source: https://x.com/NationAfrica/status/2116125461428527483?a=LC5RLzT3776dEp6obcY&s=20

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