Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government expects to begin the Nairobi-Thika Expressway project within the next two months, with President William Ruto expected to preside over its groundbreaking ceremony.
Speaking in Kiambu County on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Kindiki said the government was finalising details of the proposed project, which is intended to provide an alternative route for motorists travelling between Thika and Nairobi.
“Between one and two months, the President will come here for the groundbreaking of the road’s construction. We want to construct an expressway that links Thika town to Nairobi at Museum Hill,” Kindiki said.
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The proposed expressway will cover approximately 60 kilometres and is expected to ease persistent traffic congestion along the Nairobi-Thika corridor, which serves major urban centres including Thika, Ruiru and Juja.
Proposed Expressway to Connect Thika to Museum Hill
Kindiki said the project would feature an elevated expressway, allowing motorists to use the new route while other traffic continues along the existing road.
“The same way we have the Nairobi Expressway that begins from JKIA and terminates at James Gichuru in Westlands, we are going to connect Thika town with Nairobi at Museum Hill using an elevated expressway,” he said.
The Deputy President noted that the existing Thika Superhighway, constructed during former President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, had not eliminated traffic jams because of the growing number of motorists using the route.
“Former President Mwai Kibaki built the Thika Superhighway, but people still experience traffic jams. We have busy towns such as Thika, Ruiru, and Juja,” Kindiki added.
The proposed expressway is expected to provide additional road capacity and improve connectivity between Nairobi and the surrounding towns.
Expressway Cost Could Reach Sh200 Billion
The announcement follows an earlier engagement of experts to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed expressway.
The study is intended to assess possible routes, engineering requirements, traffic capacity, estimated construction costs, environmental and social impacts, and the amount of land required.
Preliminary estimates have placed the project's cost between KSh150 billion and KSh200 billion.
The government is expected to explore a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to finance construction. However, the final cost, financing structure and implementation details will depend on the project's development and assessment process.
Muthaiga-Kiambu Road Expansion Also Planned
During his visit to Kiambu County, Kindiki also provided an update on the planned expansion of the Muthaiga-Kiambu road.
He said the contract for the project had been signed and that the contractor was expected to begin construction.
The road, which runs from Muthaiga Police Station to Ndumberi in Kiambu County, is set to be upgraded from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway.
“We are also doing the Muthaiga-Kiambu road, from Muthaiga Police Station to Ndumberi in Kiambu County. It is being constructed from a single lane to a dual carriageway,” Kindiki said.
The expansion is expected to address traffic congestion affecting motorists travelling between Kiambu town and Nairobi, particularly during peak hours.
The proposed expressway and the Muthaiga-Kiambu road expansion form part of the government's announced road infrastructure plans aimed at improving transport links and easing congestion across the Nairobi metropolitan area.
