Govt plans Sh1.6bn State House Road upgrade in nationwide road tenders

Monday, December 29, 2025

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State House Road barricaded with razor wire during the Gen Z protests. Access was cut off approximately 200 metres from gate D.

Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation

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The government is planning to upgrade State House Road in Nairobi at a cost of Sh1.6 billion.

Information contained in a tender document circulated on December 19 lists the intended works as part of 92 road upgrade and maintenance projects across the country. The government has estimated that the projects will cost about Sh15.6 billion in total.

The document, signed by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) deputy director, supply chain management for the director-general, describes the tender as “traffic circulation and capacity enhancement of State House Road.”

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The road is a critical artery connecting the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) with key installations such as State House and surrounding government offices. Its strategic location has in the past placed it at the centre of heightened security operations, mass protests and rare but serious breaches.

Police have often been forced to restrict traffic during protests such as the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations against the Finance Bill. In October this year, a General Service Unit (GSU) officer guarding the State House was killed when a civilian attacked him with a bow and arrow near the gate, raising concerns about a serious security breach in the vicinity.

Apart from State House Road, the other listed tender costing over Sh1 billion is the construction of Chelimo Road in Kericho Town at an estimated cost of Sh1.1 billion. All the projects are to be funded by the Government of Kenya under the Development Vote.

“To enhance equity, bidders shall bid for a maximum of two (2) tenders, but can only be awarded a maximum of one (1) tender, under this tender notice. Bidders who participate in more than two (2) tenders shall be disqualified,” the notice states in part.

Other key road projects listed include the upgrading of Gede-Kakuyuni Town roads in Kilifi County to bitumen standards at Sh967.5 million, construction of Eldoret City link roads at Sh950 million, and dualling of Oginga Odinga Avenue from Subukia underpass to Westmall roundabout in Nakuru County at Sh850 million.

Kilifi North Member of Parliament Owen Baya termed the projects in Kilifi County a turning point for the region, saying it had been marginalised for many decades. He attributed the developments to cooperation between local leaders and the national Kenya Kwanza government.

Out of the 92 road tenders announced, 52 are reserved for youth, women and people living with disabilities, while the rest are open to all contractors.

“Only those bidders registered in the categories indicated in this tender notice shall bid for the respective tenders, a digression will lead to disqualification,” states the notice, adding that “any form of canvassing will lead to disqualification.”

The projects are part of the Kenya Kwanza ambitious plans under President William Ruto to improve national roads and transport infrastructure within 10 years. During his State of the Nation address in November, the president announced plans to dual 2,500 kilometres of highways and tarmac 28,000 kilometres of roads.

In recent weeks, the President has reiterated his government’s intention to upgrade transport infrastructure in the country. He has in particular cited the Rironi-Mau Summit road as a pet project to curb frequent traffic jams that last hours, especially during holiday seasons.

Another road that has grabbed public attention in recent weeks is the Kyuso-Tseikuru road in the backyard of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, whose tender has since been floated by the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha). The road’s construction has taken a political turn, with debates emerging over who should take credit for its commissioning between Dr Ruto and Mr Musyoka.

A tender notice by Kenha showed plans to upgrade the Kyuso-Tseikuru road to bitumen standards, alongside strengthening the Kandwia-Kyuso road.

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