Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said on Friday that President William Ruto is expected to preside over the groundbreaking of the planned Thika Road Expressway within one or two months, Pulse Live Kenya reported. The date still depends on the completion of project preparations.
The plan is to build an elevated expressway above the existing Thika Superhighway. The road would run for about 60 kilometres from Thika Town through the Ruiru and Juja corridor to Museum Hill. There, it is expected to connect with the Nairobi Expressway. Motorists could choose the elevated road, while other traffic would continue on the current ground-level carriageway.
According to Pulse Live Kenya, the Sh150-200 billion figure is a preliminary estimate, not an approved construction budget. The government plans to use a public-private partnership (PPP). Under such a deal, a private investor may finance, build and operate the road under a contract. The government has not published a financing structure, concession agreement, investor or tolling schedule. Nor has it said whether motorists will pay a toll.
The project entered design and feasibility assessment in October 2026. The study will examine the alignment, engineering needs, traffic capacity, costs, environmental and social impacts, and the land required. Its findings will inform procurement and financing decisions.
Thika Superhighway was built under former President Mwai Kibaki's administration. Pulse Live Kenya reported that population growth and expanding towns along the route have increased traffic. Congestion builds during morning and evening peak hours, especially around major interchanges.
Separately, Kenya Railways is planning to upgrade the 57-kilometre Nairobi-Thika commuter rail corridor, The Eastleigh Voice reported. The World Bank committed $500 million, about Sh65 billion, to the project earlier this year. The upgrade covers 15 stations. Eight are operational, four non-operational stations will be rehabilitated and three new ones will be built at KPCU, Maili Saba and Kalimoni.
The rail project includes track rehabilitation and new station infrastructure. It also adds access roads, footpaths, cycling lanes and street lighting within one kilometre of each station. Kenya Railways is also building a maintenance hub at Makadara Railway Station. According to the project's environmental and social impact report, better connectivity is expected to cut travel time and make public transport more efficient.