Uhuru Off to France For a Ksh180 Billion Loan Deal

President Uhuru Kenyatta is on Wednesday September 30, 2020 expected to leave the country for France.

During his trip, the Head of State is expected to sign a public private partnership (PPP) deal worth Ksh 180 billion for the dualling of the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau summit road; a 190 kilometers stretch.

Kenyatta will meet up with President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee palace in Paris, where he will actualise the deal.

The road will reduce travel time for both people and goods and at the same time compliment the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between Naivasha and Malaba border.

After a battle by french firms to clinch the Ksh 180 billion deal last year, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) awarded the tender to French Firm Meridiam International.

Others in the consortium include; Vinci Highways SAS and Vinci Concessions SAS.

The project will involve expansion of the 190-kilometre road into a four-lane dual carriageway from Rironi in Limuru to Mau Summit in Nakuru County.

Additionally, the work will involve the rehabilitation of the Mai Mahiu-Naivasha Road and the reaction of toll stations on the highway under a Public Private Partnership.

Transport CS James Macharia earlier stated that the cabinet’s precedence would be to have two PPP’s projects in order to ease traffic for motorists plying between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Westlands, and those who use the Nairobi-Naivasha-Nakuru highway.