Govt lists major highways set for expansion and tighten traffic rules
By Aloys Michael, September 16, 2025As part of the broader efforts to improve road safety and infrastructure, the government has announced plans to expand four key highways and construct 13 footbridges across the country.
The plan was highlighted in the National Road Safety Action Plan published on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and which would be implemented within a 5-year timeline.
Besides the roads’ expansion and the construction of footbridges, the Ministry of Transport also revealed looming changes in the Traffic Act, reforms that would affect how the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) deal with non-compliant motorists.
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Construction of footbridges and highways
The Ministry has outlined the expansion of key roads, including the dualling of Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani, capacity enhancement of Nyali-Mtwapa-Kilifi and upgrading of Kitale-Morpus along the Kenya-South Sudan Link Road.
The Ministry also announced plans to start the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit road, which connects Nairobi to Nakuru. According to the Ministry, the expansion of the road is expected to significantly address the accident cases along the route.
“Existing roads have been placed under performance contracting maintenance to attend to routine maintenance needs, including road signage, high-visibility lane markings, safety fences,” the action plan read in part.
Additionally, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has commenced the construction of 13 footbridges with pedestrian fencing in the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) situated along Nairobi’s Outer Ring Road.
According to the plan, it was also nearing the completion of the dualling of Ngata Bridge in Nakuru County, a previously hazardous section marred by loss of control and run-off collisions, especially by heavy goods vehicles.
“Realignment of the Bonje area, grade separation works at Gitaru-Rungiri, and reconfiguration of Coptic Roundabout along Kisumu-Kakamega highway are all ongoing,” the Transport Ministry announced.
“Some of the completed sections include Kibarani/Makupa Causeway, widening and traffic separation along Salgaa – Sachangwan, gantry signs and enhanced non-standard signage at Kinungi-Ihindu-Karai section,” it read.
Traffic and safety standards
The government also announced that it was in the process of implementing several changes to enforce traffic laws targeting high-risk behaviours.
The plan disclosed that over the past year, it had made progress, including the automation of speed enforcement. This involves the use of smart speed cameras to detect speed infractions and sanction violators through instant fines.
To enhance the competency of drivers, the government also announced the automation of driver testing to improve the quality of drivers who end up getting licensed.
Additionally, to improve the safety standards of the vehicles imported into Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has implemented new regulations for used vehicle imports from major supply countries like Japan, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Likewise, the ministry plans to implement the Schools Transport Regulations (2025) to govern the way school transport is operated.
It further revealed that NTSA would continue to undertake continuous regulatory enforcement targeting rogue drivers, transport saccos and speed limiters.
“Through this strategy, many public transport operators and drivers/conductors have been sanctioned through compliance orders, suspensions of Sacco operations, suspensions of driving licenses, among others,” the action plan stated.
“As a way of dealing with the challenge of driving under the influence of alcohol, another major risk behaviour, the Traffic (Drink Driving) Regulations, 2025, have also been developed,” it added.