President William Ruto on Thursday, April 24, 2025, secured deals to dual three major highways in the country and construct the Nithi Bridge, which has been a death trap to travellers along the Embu-Meru Road.
In a statement from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on Thursday, April 24, 2025, China and Kenya entered into a deal which will see the expansion and dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit- Malaba highway, Kiambu-Northern Bypass, Eldoret Bypass and the construction of the Nithi Bridge along the ominous stretch which has claimed several Kenyan lives.
The deals also included the extension of the Standard-Gauge Railway (SGR) from Nairobi to Naivasha in its second phase and the extension from Naivasha to the Malaba border in its third phase.
“During the extensive engagement between the leaders, China agreed to work with Kenya on implementing strategic connectivity development projects. These include investments in the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Naivasha (Phase II) and from Naivasha to Malaba (Phase III), as well as the expansion and dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit-Malaba highway, the Kiambu-Northern Bypass, the Eldoret Bypass and the construction of Nithi Bridge,” the statement read in part.
Digital superhighways
Additionally, the two countries also signed deals to revamp Kenya’s digital superhighways, in a move that will see China expand the nation’s fibre optic cable network to spur connectivity and catalyse development.
“Kenya and China also committed to further collaboration in the rollout of Kenya’s National Digital Superhighway Programme, which involves the expansion of the national fibre optic network,” the statement read.
Also, the meeting with Chinese investors led to the agreement to fund the healthcare in the country by China offering grants to construct hospitals and collaborate in the manufacturing of drugs.
“In support of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, China pledged grants to improve hospital infrastructure and committed to private sector investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing.”
Nairobi traffic congestion
The other deals reached during Ruto’s inaugural state visit to the Asian giant were in were in funding the Technical and Vocational Training Centres TVETS, developing an intelligent transport management system to solve the choking Nairobi traffic and developing an instant-fine system to punish errant motorists.
The agreements equally secured markets for Kenya’s agricultural products, including tea, coffee, macadamia, avocado and other products.
“During the Kenya-China Private Sector Roundtable and Business Forum, President Ruto oversaw the signing of investment agreements worth approximately KSh137 billion. These deals span key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure, and are expected to generate over 28,000 jobs across the country,” the statement read.
“Notable projects include a Special Economic Zone in Kilifi County (expected to create 5,000 jobs) and manufacturing expansions in Machakos, Murang’a, and Mombasa. Agricultural initiatives in Kajiado and Baringo counties, focusing on poultry, aloe, and vineyard cultivation, are projected to generate 10,500 jobs.”