By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, April 26, 2026 - President William Ruto has unveiled plans to expand the Makutano–Meru highway into a dual carriageway, signalling a shift in how the government intends to fund major infrastructure projects.
Speaking in Tharaka Nithi County, the President said the project will be financed through the newly established National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), a facility designed to support large-scale developments without heavy reliance on external borrowing.
“We now have the National Infrastructure Fund… and it will enable us to dual the Makutano to Meru road,” Ruto said.
The proposed upgrade of the 169-kilometre stretch is expected to ease movement between Meru and Nairobi, while also supporting trade, particularly for farmers transporting produce along the corridor. The road cuts across Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties, making it a key link in the region’s economy.
Beyond reducing travel time, the expansion is also expected to improve safety along sections that have recorded frequent accidents, including the Nithi Bridge area.
On the bridge, long considered a black spot, the President said both funding and technical plans are already in place. He urged faster progress, particularly in land compensation, to allow construction to move ahead without delays.
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“We have the solution in engineering and the money is available. What remains is coordination to deliver the project quickly,” he said.
The Makutano–Meru road becomes one of the first major projects lined up under the NIF, alongside planned upgrades at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The fund is expected to finance a range of infrastructure developments, including roads and dams, as part of a broader push to strengthen food security and economic growth.
The announcement follows recent government efforts to mobilise local resources for development, with officials positioning the fund as a long-term tool to drive infrastructure expansion across the country.