Why Kenya’s Rironi-Mau Highway Construction Is Facing Delays Over a Key Material

Kenya’s ambitious road construction programme has encountered a supply challenge involving a critical material used in building durable tarmac roads, with shortages contributing to delays on the multibillion-shilling Rironi-Mau Summit Highway.

The material, known as bitumen, has become a major talking point following the postponement of the planned opening of the Rironi-Naivasha section, which had initially been scheduled for the end of October 2026.

Bitumen is a black, sticky substance obtained mainly from crude oil refining. It plays an important role in road construction because it binds different materials together to create a strong surface capable of supporting heavy traffic.

Although commonly confused with asphalt, the two are different. Bitumen serves as the binding agent, while asphalt is produced by combining bitumen with aggregates such as crushed stones, gravel and sand.

Once applied and cooled, the material hardens, holding the aggregates together to create a firm road surface. It also helps prevent water from penetrating the pavement, protecting the underlying layers from damage.

The production of bitumen is closely connected to crude oil refining. During the refining process, lighter petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene are separated at different temperatures, leaving heavier residue that can undergo further processing to produce bitumen.

Kenya previously manufactured the material locally through its refinery in Mombasa. However, the facility stopped processing crude oil in 2013, leaving the country dependent on imported supplies for road construction.

Kenya now sources bitumen mainly from countries in the Middle East and Asia. Its leading suppliers include the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Oman, China, Kuwait, Iraq and India.

Iran is among the world’s largest exporters of bitumen, supported by its substantial oil reserves and refining capacity.

The country’s dependence on foreign suppliers means that the availability of the material is an important factor in the progress of major road projects.

The situation has attracted attention as construction continues along the Rironi-Mau Summit Highway, one of Kenya’s major infrastructure projects.

The shortage has affected the planned completion timeline of the Rironi-Naivasha section, highlighting the importance of reliable supplies of construction materials in delivering large infrastructure projects.

Beyond its use in highways, bitumen remains essential in maintaining the durability of roads, making its consistent availability important to Kenya’s ongoing efforts to expand and improve its transport network.

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