Wamuzi News Ke
In an abrupt turn of events, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has cancelled the tender for the much-anticipated four-lane expansion of Kiambu Road—just a week after announcing prequalification for Chinese contractors. The decision halts progress on a critical artery linking Nairobi’s eastern suburbs to Kiambu County.
Last-Minute Reversal Raises Eyebrows.
On Tuesday, KeNHA formally withdrew the invitation to bid, casting widespread uncertainty over the project. No explanation was provided. The initial tender, launched on July 15, invited Chinese firms to finance the upgrade, underwritten by funding from China’s EXIM Bank.
The sudden cancellation blocks work on interchanges, bridges, pedestrian infrastructure, and service lanes that were slated to ease chronic congestion along the Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi corridor.
Projects Under Scrutiny.
The Kiambu Road upgrade, part of a broader infrastructure agenda to decongest Nairobi, includes a 36-month construction timeline to transform the two-lane highway into a modern dual carriageway. The cancellation threatens to push timelines further, stagnating improvements aimed at boosting safety, reducing travel time, and enhancing economic connectivity.
Transparency and Competition Concerns.
Stakeholders had already expressed misgivings over the limited scope of the tender, which was open only to Chinese firms. Critics suggested this exclusivity risked price inflation and lacked competitive rigor. Observers are now questioning whether transparency issues or financial viability concerns prompted KeNHA’s decision.
Delay Threatens Nairobi-Kiambu Commute.
Traffic along Kiambu Road has been ranked among the most congested in the Nairobi metropolitan area. Motorists face daily gridlock and rising accident rates. With the tender cancelled, commuters now face indefinite delays, pushing back anticipated improvements to road safety, public transport access, and pedestrian mobility.
What Comes Next.
KeNHA may be recalibrating the project’s scope or seeking a broader bidder base. An updated timeline and revised procurement strategy are expected. Meanwhile, frustrated residents and local businesses are calling on the authority to swiftly reissue the tender under competitive terms.
