On November 28, 2025, President William Ruto officially broke ground on the Rironi–Mau Summit Road project at Kamandura, Kiambu County. This landmark infrastructure development, valued at USD 863 million, covers Phase I of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit (A8) and the Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha (A8 South) corridors. Spanning 139 kilometers from Nairobi to Gilgil and Naivasha, the project is slated for a two-year construction period followed by a 28-year operational phase, marking a significant step in modernizing Kenya’s primary transit routes.
The project is being implemented through a strategic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). President Ruto emphasized that this model represents "smart governance," allowing the state to deliver critical infrastructure without increasing the national debt burden or raising taxes. By leveraging private capital and NSSF's investment, the government aims to bypass traditional budgetary constraints and accelerate the "Kenya reborn" vision through high-impact industrial collaboration.
Beyond local transit, the highway serves as a vital regional gateway linking East Africa to the Western and Northern corridors. The upgrade includes grade-separated interchanges, overpasses, and underpasses designed to enhance safety and lower vehicle operating costs. By facilitating the seamless movement of agricultural produce and international trade, the project directly supports Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), solidifying the nation’s standing as the leading trade and transport hub in the region.
Source: Ministry of Roads and Transport
Nairobi’s transport landscape is set for a major boost as the Ministry of Roads announces the accelerated completion of the Ngong Road Bridge, now projected for July 2026- over a year ahead of schedule. Funded by a $20mn concessional loan from the Spanish government with a 55-year repayment period, the project utilizes preassembled steel modules to fast-track installation. Once operational, the bridge will significantly reduce travel times and improve access to the upcoming Talanta Stadium, a key venue for national and sporting events currently under construction along the same route.
Simultaneously, works have resumed on the $23mn Kenyatta Avenue viaduct after a three-year stall. This revival was made possible through the government’s innovative road securitization program, which leverages the Road Maintenance Levy Fund to unlock stalled projects. Fully funded by the Government of Kenya, the viaduct is slated for completion by May 2027. It aims to provide a seamless link between Nairobi’s Central Business District and the Upper Hill area, addressing chronic congestion in the city’s core.
These urban projects are designed to complement Kenya’s larger mobility goals, including the monumental Nairobi-Mombasa Usahihi Expressway. The strategic importance of these developments is underscored by the recent addition of UK-based Turner & Townsend to the Usahihi consortium, joining Everstrong Capital and KeNHA. By integrating localized bridge works with massive highway expansions, the government intends to enhance national competitiveness and transform Nairobi into a more efficient regional transport and logistics hub.
Source: Construction Review Online
President William Ruto has announced plans to break ground on a modern, world-class airport at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) before the end of 2026. This initiative aims to solidify Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub while bolstering national trade and tourism. The government is committed to fast-tracking the project, viewing expanded infrastructure as a critical driver for economic growth and strengthened regional connectivity.
According to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the development is essential to address chronic congestion. In 2025, JKIA handled 8.6 million passengers, significantly surpassing its original design capacity of 7.5 million. By expanding facilities, the KAA intends to bring the airport’s operations in line with modern demand and international standards, ensuring the gateway can accommodate the rising volume of regional travelers.
The new plan represents a renewed, independent effort to modernize East Africa’s primary transport hub, ensuring it remains competitive and capable of anchoring the region’s aviation sector for the next decade.
Source: Aviation Week
Construction has officially commenced on a USD 760mn Turkish Industrial Complex within a dedicated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nakuru, Kenya. Developed by Turkish Industry Holding, the 100-acre project represents one of the most significant industrial investments in the region. The complex will house six specialized factories designed to produce high-end construction materials, including granite, ceramic tiles, cement, steel, and aluminum profiles, alongside forestry and cleaning products.
The facility is engineered with a heavy focus on international trade, with 70% of its total output earmarked for export to European and U.S. markets. According to Board Chairman Mehmet Coskun, the remaining 30% will be supplied to the local Kenyan market to support domestic infrastructure needs. Once fully operational, the SEZ is expected to facilitate the export of over 500 containers daily through the Port of Mombasa, providing a massive Sh 60bn boost to the national economy.
The project is slated for completion within 30 months and marks a milestone for local leadership with the appointment of 36-year-old Kenyan Mwaniki Munuhe as Vice President. Munuhe will oversee African operations as the firm seeks to establish the largest construction materials manufacturing hub in the region. This development is expected to significantly enhance Kenya’s manufacturing capacity, reduce reliance on imported materials, and strengthen the country’s position as a global industrial exporter.
Source: TCGT Kenya
Kenya’s economy expanded by 4.9% in the third quarter of 2025, a significant climb from the 4.2% recorded during the same period in 2024. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reveals that the acceleration was fueled by heavy momentum in industrial and service sectors. This performance underscores the resilience of East Africa’s largest economy amidst shifting global conditions.
Sector-specific gains were led by a 17.7% surge in hospitality and a 16.6% increase in mining and quarrying. The construction sector grew by 6.7%, reflecting ongoing infrastructure demand, while real estate and financial services posted gains of 5.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Agriculture also maintained a positive trajectory, expanding by 3.2% during the July-September window.
While growth remains robust, average inflation rose to 4.42%, up from 4.08% a year prior. Despite these inflationary pressures, full-year forecasts remain optimistic; President Ruto projects 5.6% growth, while the Central Bank and World Bank offer more tempered estimates ranging between 4.9% and 5.2%.
Source: Ecofin Agency
President William Ruto has announced an ambitious infrastructure slate set to commence in early 2026, aimed at modernizing Kenya’s transport and energy sectors. A centerpiece of this plan is the 60-kilometer Nairobi–Thika Expressway, designed to decongest the capital’s busiest corridor. This joins other landmark road projects, including the USD 3.5bn Nairobi–Mombasa Usahihi Expressway and the dualling of the 175-kilometer Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Road. These initiatives are part of a broader ten-year strategy to dual 2,500 kilometers of highways and tarmac 28,000 kilometers of roads nationwide to bolster regional trade.
Strategic development is also advancing in northern and western regions. The Isiolo–Mandera Highway, part of the LAPSSET corridor, has secured Ksh 81bn in World Bank funding to enhance connectivity in arid areas. In Western Kenya, the Ksh 3.6bn Turbo–Sikhendu Road and the recently completed Ksh 1.3 bn Rusinga Ring Road highlight a commitment to regional mobility. These projects focus on transforming local economies by improving access to markets and safety along the Northern Corridor, ensuring that rural development keeps pace with urban expansion.
The government is further prioritizing multimodal growth through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension to Kisumu is scheduled for January 2026, alongside plans for a new USD 2bn international airport in Nairobi. In the energy sector, Kenya’s first PPP-funded electricity transmission lines, valued at Ksh 40.4bn, are expected to break ground by August 2026. Combined with the modernization of the Port of Mombasa and JKIA, these investments aim to solidify Kenya's status as a leading regional aviation, logistics, and energy hub.
Source: YNews
Nairobi, Kenya | 23 October 2025: Big 5 Construct Kenya returns for its 8th edition to the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi from 5 – 7 November 2025, connecting key stakeholders from the construction value chain in Kenya. The event builds on unprecedented opportunities in the sector when the country’s GDP is projected to grow by 4.5% in 2025, demonstrating resilience amid global economic uncertainties (Source: World Bank).
Kenya’s construction market is currently valued at $20 billion and is projected to grow by 7.5% annually with continued expansion across housing, construction and infrastructure (Sources: ABiQ and ResearchandMarkets). This momentum is underpinned by the country’s Vision 2030 Construction Industry Development Policy, a national target to deliver one million housing units by 2027 (Source: National Housing Corporation).
These policy imperatives are rapidly accelerating demand for construction and infrastructure inputs, skilled labour, project finance and advanced building technologies. Major projects such as the Nairobi-Mombasa Usahihi Expressway and OrPower 22 Geothermal Plant are also set to boost sector demand and investment, emphasizing the value of Big 5 Construct Kenya to promote network and explore opportunities.
Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “Kenya’s construction sector is gaining real momentum, fuelled by ambitious construction and infrastructure programs and nationwide housing initiatives under Vision 2030. Big 5 Construct Kenya is at the heart of this growth, connecting decision-makers, innovators and suppliers, supporting the country’s construction sector. The exhibition provides a meeting ground for industry leaders to discover practical solutions, explore emerging trends and drive projects that will contribute to the development of Kenya’s construction landscape.”
Local and international exhibitors showcase progressive solutions
This year’s edition of Big 5 Construct Kenya will showcase more than 150 exhibiting brands from over 20 countries, presenting an impressive line-up of the latest products, technologies and solutions, equipment and systems to meet the country’s evolving urban and construction needs. The exhibition attracts more than 9,000 industry professionals, including project managers, consultants, contractors, engineers, architects and government decision-makers.
The exhibitor line-up includes leading brands such as Jaquar, Cleopatra Group, Masa, Stanley Black and Decker, Framecad, Mapei and Mark Décor, among others. The impressive international presence will be reinforced through the participation of companies
from India, Egypt, Germany, Italy, China and the United Arab Emirates, helping local buyers access innovations, partnerships and distribution channels.
This year, twelve dedicated product sectors will be featured across the exhibition floor, creating a comprehensive showcase for professionals across project lifecycle stages. These include building interiors and finishes, concrete and cement, construction tools and personal protection equipment (PPE), digital construction technologies and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) systems.
Visitors can also explore solutions in heavy construction machinery and vehicles, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) components and metal, steel and aluminium products. A growing emphasis on speed and sustainability is reflected in the inclusion of offsite and modular construction, intelligent building systems, solar technologies and services and windows, doors and façades, ensuring that Big 5 Construct Kenya addresses both traditional requirements and modern advancements.
CPD-certified sessions continue to gain momentum
Alongside the diverse range of exhibitors and networking opportunities, there are the CPD-certified Big 5 talks focusing on learning and leadership. Led by more than 45 regional and international experts, the talks programme hosts over 25 free-to-attend sessions, covering key topics such as project management, engineering, technology, architecture and sustainability.
Big 5 Construct Kenya is free to attend for all trade and industry professionals aged 18 and above. For more information, visit: www.big5constructkenya.com
