Kitengela traffic nightmare: Highway upgrade fuels hope

Thursday, October 29, 2026

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Vehicles navigate a traffic build-up in Kitengela.

Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation Media Group

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By Stanley Ngotho

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Nation Media Group

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The National Treasury has approved the initial proposal to upgrade the Athi River–Namanga road into a dual carriageway, raising hopes of relief for Kitengela motorists who spend at least two hours covering five kilometres.

The project, to be delivered through a public-private partnership (PPP), received the nod on Thursday last week, following approval of its concept note in September.
The 136-kilometre road, known as the A2 corridor, runs from the Athi River interchange through Kitengela, Isinya, Kajiado and Ilbisil towns to the Namanga One-Stop Border Post (OSBP).
The dualling is expected to spur growth in Kajiado County’s peri-urban centres, increasingly preferred by Nairobi’s working population for their proximity to the capital. Expectations of a boom are highest in Kitengela, elevated to municipal status four years ago and among the country’s fastest-growing urban centres for over a decade. Census data show its population doubled between 2009 and 2019.
Congestion is Kitengela’s biggest headache. Motorists can spend at least two hours covering the five-kilometre stretch from the Athi River interchange on Mombasa Road to the town, especially in the evenings and at weekends.

Mr John Omingo, a homeowner, said dualling would stem the exodus of homeowners who settled in Kitengela in the early 1990s, when the population was still low. He said some neighbours had relocated and surrendered their palatial homes to tenants because of congestion at the Athi River interchange.
“Expanding the road is a multifaceted investment, both for locals and the two levels of government,” he said.
Kajiado East MP Kakuta Mai Mai described the road as a “gem” that would ease traffic and spur growth in the county’s peri-urban centres. He said local leaders’ lobbying efforts were bearing fruit and urged constituents to seize the opportunities. The highway traverses Kajiado East Constituency through Kitengela, Kisaju and Isinya before extending into Kajiado Central Constituency.
“We (residents) are waiting for the road with bated breath. It will not only facelift the town and ease traffic, but it will be a springboard for development,” said Mai Mai.

He urged the government to fast-track construction, describing infrastructure development as a key pillar of any growing economy.
“No country can grow without enhanced infrastructure. Let the government fast-track the construction of these major roads that will boost cross-border trade with other East African countries, including Tanzania,” he added.
Mr Lawrence Kiambi, a director at Lawsavic Property Management Company, told the Nation that land values were expected to appreciate after the dualling, while house rents could rise by nearly double-digit percentages.
“After expanding the road, motorists will possibly be spending less than 30 minutes travelling to Kitengela from Westland. We expect real estate investors to flood both Athi River and Kitengela and their outskirts. We expect the value of land to shoot up due to high demand,” said Kiambi.