Gov’t Unveils 815km Lake Victoria Ring Road Project Covering Five Counties

The government has unveiled plans for a major road infrastructure project around the Lake Victoria Basin, targeting the upgrading of approximately 815 kilometres of selected roads and the installation of a fibre optic cable network across eight counties.

In a notice on Tuesday, November 10, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced that the government intended to seek $1 billion (approximately Ksh129 billion) in financing from the World Bank to support the Lake Victoria Basin Connectivity and Development Project (LVBCDP).

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"The Government of the Republic of Kenya intends to apply for $1billion financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Lake Victoria Basin Connectivity and Development Project (LVBCDP), to be implemented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, works, non-consulting services and consulting services to be procured under this project," the notice read.

According to KeNHA, the project will cover Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties, with four major components outlined to guide its implementation.

The first component will involve improving transport accessibility and digital connectivity through the upgrading of approximately 815 kilometres of selected road sections and the installation of a fibre optic cable network of a similar length along the Lake Victoria Basin Transport Corridor.

The second component will focus on strengthening regional trade and transport integration through the construction of truck parking facilities, rest stops, export aggregation hubs, logistics support infrastructure and one-stop border facilities at selected locations.

The third component will involve improving access to basic social services through the construction of selected socio-economic infrastructure facilities in the eight counties targeted by the project.

The fourth component will focus on institutional strengthening and capacity building for selected transport and related government institutions, including providing support to various ministries, departments and agencies under the Ministry of Roads and Transport.

KeNHA further outlined the road sections earmarked for upgrading under five design-build packages, which will require the initial selection of contractors.

The first package, PK1, will cover the 176-kilometre Muhuru Bay-Sori-Nyagwethe road section, while PK2 will cover the 174-kilometre Nyagwethe-Mbita-Homa Bay section.

PK3 will involve upgrading the 188-kilometre Awasi-Katito-Otonglo-Asembo road, while PK4 will cover the 177-kilometre Asembo-Nyamonye-Port Victoria-North Busia Mulwanda section.

The fifth package, PK5, will cover the 100-kilometre Chavakali-Kapsabet-Eldoret road section.

KeNHA indicated that the project would also involve construction works covering socio-economic infrastructure, port and other marine facilities, logistics infrastructure and cross-border trade facilities.

Additionally, consulting services will be procured for feasibility studies, construction supervision, preliminary engineering designs and other technical assessments required for the infrastructure developments.

KeNHA stated that procurement for contracts financed by the World Bank would follow the lender's procurement regulations for investment project financing, revised in September 2025, and would be open to eligible firms and individuals.

Specific procurement notices for internationally competitive contracts will be published on the World Bank's website, the KeNHA website and in newspapers with wide circulation in Kenya as they become available.

The authority also invited interested firms and individuals to seek further information regarding participation in the project.

"Interested eligible firms and individuals wishing to be considered for the provision of goods, works, non-consulting services and consulting services under the above-mentioned project, or requiring additional information, should contact the Borrower," the notice added.

Interested parties were directed to submit their enquiries to the Deputy Director, Supply Chain Management, Kenya National Highways Authority, through P.O. Box 49712-00100, Nairobi.

Meanwhile, Transport Principal Secretary Mohammed Daghar has revealed that the construction of the Nairobi -Kibera-Talanta station Meter Gauge Railway line will be complete by December 15, 2026.

Speaking during an inspection of the ongoing construction works on Tuesday, November 10, he said the line will enhance movement along the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service that links Nairobi Central Station and Limuru Station.

The works include replacing steel sleepers with concrete sleepers, which offer greater durability, improved track stability and reduced maintenance requirements.

"This line will transport 1,500 passengers per trip when operations commence. We will have more than one trip in order to ensure that soccer fans enjoy the sport they love. The line will be ready by December 15, 2026," he said.