The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) plans road works covering about 815 kilometres on five routes, The Star reported. The works fall under the Lake Victoria Basin Connectivity and Development Project. The World Bank Group is financing the project through the International Development Association (IDA). Procurement is expected to begin between October and December 2026, subject to the necessary approvals.
Four routes will be upgraded: the 174km Muhuru Bay-Sori-Nyagwethe Road, the 176km Nyagwethe-Mbita-Homa Bay Road, the 188km Awasi-Katito-Otonglo-Asembo Road and the 177km Asembo-Nyamonye-Port Victoria-NB Mulwanda Road. The fifth route, the 100km Chavakali-Kapsabet-Eldoret Road, will be rehabilitated.
The plan also covers spur roads, facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and civil works for optic fibre cable installation. KeNHA expects to split the works into about 12 contracts. The authority said the number, size and makeup of the packages are indicative and may change.
Ahead of formal procurement, KeNHA has invited local and international contractors, engineers and suppliers to an early market engagement. A hybrid session will take place on November 18 at 10am at Barabara Plaza Auditorium, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Firms can also join online. The authority wants industry views on construction capacity, cost drivers, delivery risks, building methods and possible project phases.
Highway, bridge, telecoms and marine infrastructure contractors can take part. So can design consultancies, professional associations, regulators, geotechnical specialists, materials testing firms and equipment suppliers. Firms must confirm attendance by Friday. Those who cannot attend can send written comments and questions by November 16.
KeNHA stressed that the session is not a tender, prequalification or shortlisting exercise. Attending will give firms no advantage in later procurement, and staying away will not count against them. The talks are non-binding, and participants will pay their own costs.