Nairobi-Thika Road Expressway to be launched in September, Ruto says

President William Ruto speaking during a Church Service in Ruiru on February 22, 2026 / PCS

President William Ruto has announced the commencement of construction of the Nairobi–Thika Expressway from September this year.

Ruto said the works, which are intended to address traffic congestion, will begin in September once the ongoing JKIA–Westlands road expansion is completed.

The President said the 60-kilometre highway will begin near the existing Nairobi Expressway at the Museum Hill Interchange and end in Thika town.

“This traffic jam, after Githurai, causes disruption all the way to Museum Hill. I am telling you now, just as we constructed the expressway from JKIA to Westlands, I will return here in September to begin construction of the expressway from Thika,” Ruto said.

He spoke during a church service at Jesus Compassion Ministry (JCM) in Ruiru on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The President also announced that the State has set aside Sh15 billion for various road projects this year, starting with the planned dualling of Kiambu Road from Pangani to Ndenderu, as well as the Northern Bypass from Kamakis to Kiambu town.

He pleaded for unity among leaders, saying it is only through unity that service delivery to the people can be achieved.

Kiambu County has witnessed rivalry between area MPs and Governor Kimani Wamatangi, with the President using Sunday’s church service to call for an end to the rivalry and public contests.

The rivalry pits Governor Wamatangi against Alice Ng’ang’a, popularly known as “Mama Simba,” who has declared interest in the county’s top seat, occasionally degenerating into chaos at public events.

“The work in Kiambu is our job, from the MCA to the governor. We who have been elected by the people of Kiambu—MCA, MP, Senator, Governor, Woman Representative and the President—are the servants of the people of Kiambu and the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.

He added, “If the work of Kiambu goes wrong, we are the ones to be questioned. So I ask you, leaders of Kiambu, not to look at who to blame. If there’s work to be done in Kiambu, we all must work together.”

During the event, Governor Wamatangi asked the President to consider compensating traders who have been displaced by ongoing demolitions by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) along Thika Road.

“Mr President, there is this group called KeNHA. You need to call them to a meeting at the State House and have a discussion with them. They can just come at night and demolish kiosks. Recently, over 300 traders saw their structures demolished,” Wamatangi said.

He added, “We are not opposed to the projects along Thika Road, including the planned construction of a terminal at Githurai, but we should sit with these people and find a solution for them. Getting Sh10,000 or Sh20,000 to facilitate their relocation won’t be that difficult.”

In response, President Ruto said, “If a problem has emerged in Githurai, let us not blame each other. We should solve the problem together. We shouldn’t point fingers and say it’s so-and-so. There’s no one in a lesser position among us here. We are all in government. Who is to be blamed here?”