The Sh9.4 billion Illasit-Rombo-Chala-Njukini-Taveta road project has reached 48 per cent completion, with President William Ruto saying the 67-kilometre route is expected to be completed by March 2027.
Ruto inspected the ongoing works and described the road as a major economic corridor linking parts of Kajiado and Taita-Taveta counties.
The project, which began in June 2025, is expected to improve the movement of people and goods while reducing travel time between the two counties.
Why the road matters
The road is expected to significantly improve connectivity between communities and commercial centres along the route.
According to Ruto, travel time between Kajiado and Taita-Taveta could fall from about two hours to 40 minutes once the road is completed.
“The Sh9.4 billion road is a major economic corridor that will ease movement of people and goods, cut travel time from two hours to 40 minutes between Kajiado and Taita-Taveta counties, and unlock trade in the region,” Ruto said.
The President said he was satisfied with the progress of the project, which is currently ahead of its original schedule.
Project ahead of schedule
Works on the road started in June 2025 and have now reached 48 per cent completion.
The government expects the project to be completed by March 2027, which Ruto said would be nine months ahead of schedule.
The faster completion is expected to allow residents and businesses along the corridor to benefit earlier from improved transport infrastructure.
Better road connectivity could also lower the time and cost involved in transporting goods between production areas, markets and neighbouring counties.
Boost for tourism
The road is also expected to support tourism in southern Kenya by improving access to two of the country’s major wildlife destinations.
Ruto said the improved connection would help unlock the tourism potential of Amboseli and Tsavo national parks, making it easier for tourists and tourism-related businesses to move across the region.
“For our region, the road unlocks the tourism potential of Amboseli and Tsavo national parks, and strengthens cross-border trade with Tanzania,” he said.
The route is therefore expected to serve purposes beyond local transport, linking economic activity, tourism and regional trade.
Wider development projects in Kajiado
During his development tour, Ruto also addressed residents of Oloirien and outlined other infrastructure projects being undertaken in the county.
He said the government is constructing 220 kilometres of roads at a cost of Sh13 billion.
The government is also investing Sh28 billion in affordable housing, 17 modern markets and hostels for university and college students.
“Further, we are building affordable housing, 17 modern markets and university and college student hostels at a cost of Sh28 billion,” Ruto said.
The projects form part of the government’s wider infrastructure and development programme in Kajiado.
What happens next?
The immediate focus is on completing the remaining 52 per cent of the Illasit-Rombo-Chala-Njukini-Taveta road within the revised timeline.
If the March 2027 completion target is met, the project could provide a faster transport link between Kajiado and Taita-Taveta while strengthening access to tourism destinations and trade routes towards Tanzania.
For communities along the corridor, the expected benefits will depend not only on the completion of the road but also on increased economic activity, investment and trade generated by the improved connection.
