Construction of the 20-kilometre Emali–Matiliku Road in Makueni County is progressing as the government advances work on a wider road project intended to improve connectivity and boost trade in the region.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the road is being upgraded to bitumen standards as the first phase of the 42-kilometre Ukia–Emali Road project, which was launched by President William Ruto in November 2025.
“The upgrade of the 20-kilometre Emali–Matiliku (A5) Road to bitumen standards is progressing well as Phase One of the 42-kilometre Ukia–Emali (B107) Road project, which was launched by President William Ruto in November 2025,” Omollo said.
What the Emali–Matiliku road project will connect
The ongoing works form part of a larger plan to establish a reliable road connection between Emali, Matiliku and Ukia, with the wider project expected to improve access to Wote Town.
The upgraded road is expected to provide motorists and residents with a better alternative route while improving access to the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway.
Omollo said the project will also support the movement of agricultural produce from Makueni’s productive areas to markets.
“The road is set to improve the movement of people and goods, provide faster access to the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway (A1), lower transport costs and strengthen trade by connecting Makueni’s productive agricultural areas to markets and essential services,” he said.
How the road could benefit residents
The upgrade is expected to have an impact beyond improving the condition of the road itself.
For farmers and traders, better connectivity could reduce the time and cost involved in transporting agricultural produce to markets. Residents could also benefit from easier access to essential services, including health facilities, schools and commercial centres.
The connection to the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway is expected to further open up movement between communities in Makueni and major transport corridors.
The government has also linked the project to efforts to strengthen economic activity by improving access between agricultural production areas and markets.
Government agencies supporting construction
The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is also involved in supporting the project through the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO).
According to Omollo, NGAO is coordinating engagement between government agencies, local communities and other stakeholders involved in the project.
The officers are also expected to help protect public infrastructure and promote road safety along the construction corridor.
How the project fits into wider road upgrades
The Emali–Matiliku project comes as the government continues to undertake major road upgrades along key transport corridors across the country.
One of the projects being implemented along the coast is the expansion of the 30.4-kilometre Jomvu–Mariakani Road into a dual carriageway.
Omollo recently said the project will expand the existing road from two lanes to four lanes, with the upgrade expected to ease congestion and improve the movement of cargo along the Northern Corridor.
“The project expands the corridor from two to four lanes, easing congestion and improving the movement of cargo along the Northern Corridor,” Omollo said.
The Jomvu–Mariakani project will also feature infrastructure designed to improve safety and traffic management, including retaining walls in sections with challenging terrain around Mazeras, improved drainage systems, pedestrian footbridges and designated truck parking areas.
With the Emali–Matiliku section forming the first phase of the wider Ukia–Emali project, its completion is expected to provide a significant boost to transport connectivity in Makueni while creating better links between local communities, agricultural producers and major markets.
