Kenya Secures AIIB Grant for Mau Summit-Malaba Road Preparations

Kenya Secures AIIB Grant for Mau Summit-Malaba Road Preparations

Kenya has secured a multi-billion-shilling grant from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to support preparations for the proposed Mau Summit-Malaba Road Development Project.

The funding is expected to support technical and feasibility work for the major highway project, which forms part of the Northern Corridor and is expected to strengthen transport and trade links between Kenya and neighbouring countries.

The development followed a meeting between senior officials from Kenya’s National Treasury, the State Department for Roads and representatives of AIIB at the bank’s headquarters in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, September 16.

The State Department for Roads confirmed the grant, describing the proposed highway as an important regional transport route.

“Kenya appreciates AIIB’s support through a grant agreement for project preparation for the Mau Summit-Malaba Road Development Project, an important section of the Northern Corridor and a critical regional trade route.”

The announcement came a day after President William Ruto disclosed that Kenya had secured KSh300 million from an Asian fund to support an advanced feasibility study for the road project.

Ruto made the announcement during a media engagement in Kisumu on Monday, where he outlined government plans to improve road connectivity across western Kenya and strengthen links to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“We have already discussed with the Asian Infrastructure Fund, and it has given us the first 300M to do the feasibility study to extend that road from Mau Summit-Kisumu-Malaba and the other leg Nakuru-Eldoret-Malaba.”

The proposed Mau Summit-Malaba highway is estimated to cost about KSh130 billion. A pre-feasibility study was completed in May, paving the way for a more detailed assessment of the project.

The planned road will connect Mau Summit through Eldoret to Malaba, providing an important route towards Kenya’s border with Uganda. It is expected to complement the Nairobi-Mau Summit Highway and improve movement along the Northern Corridor.

The Northern Corridor is a major transport network connecting the Port of Mombasa to Kenya’s hinterland and landlocked countries in East and Central Africa. Improving the route is therefore expected to have implications for the movement of cargo, passengers and goods within the region.

The full feasibility study was approved for implementation between July and September. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Treasury are overseeing the process, including competitive procurement for the project.

Tolling is also being considered as a possible mechanism for maintenance and cost recovery once the road is developed.

The AIIB engagement extends beyond the proposed highway project. The Kenyan government is also discussing financing and technical support for the expansion and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The proposed JKIA upgrades include construction of a second runway and improvements aimed at increasing the airport’s capacity to handle passengers and cargo.

The State Department for Roads said the airport project forms part of broader discussions with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

“The Government is also engaging AIIB on the expansion and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), including the proposed construction of a second runway, to enhance capacity and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub.”

The Mau Summit-Malaba project is expected to remain subject to the completion of feasibility studies, procurement processes, financing arrangements and other regulatory requirements.

If implemented, the highway would provide an upgraded transport link from the Rift Valley through western Kenya to the Malaba border, supporting regional trade and connectivity along one of East Africa’s key commercial corridors.

The latest AIIB grant therefore marks another step in preparations for the proposed road, with further technical assessments expected before construction decisions are finalised.

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Kenya Secures AIIB Grant for Mau Summit-Malaba Road Preparations