67 km Construction of Ngong-Suswa Highway is now Complete

The 67-kilometer Ngong–Suswa Highway is now complete according to the information from the Ministry of Transport and infrastructure.  The road promises travellers and transporters a modern, safer, and more direct alternative route out of Nairobi through Ngong. The new corridor is expected to ease pressure on the busy Mai Mahiu escarpment road, offering smoother journeys and improved safety standards. The government announced the full completion and opening of the highway, marking the conclusion of years of delays, funding challenges, and stalled construction works. “This road is now complete and open. Motorists can expect a smoother, safer, and more direct connection between Ngong and Suswa,” the ministry said in a statement.

The highway is set to significantly strengthen regional connectivity, opening new opportunities for trade, tourism, and community development along its length. With expansive views and long open stretches, it is also poised to become a preferred route for road-trip travellers, combining efficiency with an enjoyable driving experience. Local businesses and communities are optimistic that enhanced accessibility and reduced travel times will stimulate economic activity and support broader growth in the region.

Why Ngong-Suswa highway is a game-changer

Last year, Parliament was informed that the Ministry of Transport had allocated Sh600 million to accelerate progress on the project. Its completion now represents a significant milestone for communities along the corridor and a notable achievement within the government’s broader infrastructure agenda.

With a fully paved roadway now linking Ngong to Suswa, thousands of motorists, farmers, traders, and holiday travellers are expected to benefit immediately from faster, safer, and more dependable journeys.

The Sh4 billion initiative was initially scheduled for completion within 42 months but stalled in 2020 after the contractor abandoned the site due to financial constraints.

By December 2024, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KURA) reported the works were 88 percent complete. At the time, KURA Resident Engineer Kenneth Mbogori expressed optimism that increased funding would enable the project to reach completion—an expectation that has now been realised.

“We faced real challenges, especially with funding disruptions,” he said then. “But with renewed support, the project picked up pace, and we are delighted that the road is finally operational.”

The newly completed Ngong–Suswa route provides motorists with an alternative connection to Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira, and the wider Nyanza region. For many travellers, the corridor also offers a more scenic and relaxed drive, stretching across vast Savannah landscapes and providing sweeping views of the Rift Valley.

Local leaders have welcomed the highway’s completion, noting its potential to stimulate economic activity, strengthen livestock and farm produce markets, and revitalize towns that had been adversely affected by years of stalled construction.

Local leaders welcome Ngong-Suswa highway completion

Kajiado West MP George Sunkuiya, during a previous inspection of the project, remarked that the highway would help restore the economic momentum that had slowed when works were interrupted.

“This is a cost-effective and efficient alternative route to Narok. The local economy had begun to grow before the delays set in. We now expect renewed business, particularly in livestock trade and agribusiness,” he said.

Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngongoyo added that the road would “spur the much-needed growth in Ngong town and its environs,” enhancing tourism, real estate development, and overall transport connectivity.

The Ngong–Suswa highway was among the flagship road projects prioritized by President William Ruto as part of his administration’s commitment to completing long-stalled infrastructure initiatives.

The highway is expected to significantly ease congestion along the Nairobi–Mai Mahiu road, one of Kenya’s busiest freight and passenger corridors, long known for heavy traffic and frequent accidents.

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