President William Ruto announced plans to build a 60-kilometre expressway linking Nairobi to Thika town during Jamhuri Day celebrations. The project, slated to begin in 2026, seeks to ease severe traffic congestion on the current route. It will start at the Museum Hill interchange and end in Thika.
During the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2025, at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, President William Ruto made a significant announcement on new infrastructure. He stated that the government will construct a 60-kilometre expressway from Nairobi to Thika town in Kiambu County, with construction starting in 2026. The expressway will begin near the existing Nairobi Expressway at the Museum Hill interchange and end in Thika town, complementing the Thika Superhighway to reduce traffic congestion.
Ruto highlighted the project's importance, saying, "A lot of Kenyans live in Thika, and the current Thika road is very congested, and there are a lot of vehicles using the Thika road. I want to announce that next year, we will construct an expressway from Thika to Nairobi at Museum Hill."
The announcement addresses challenges faced by commuters between Nairobi and neighbouring counties, particularly Thika, where population and business growth exacerbate congestion. This is not the first mention; in August 2024, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) revealed similar plans, supported by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi to position Thika as an industrial smart city. The project is expected to improve movement of people and goods, boosting the local economy.
However, the announcement comes as the government tackles other road initiatives, but it specifically targets Thika's congestion issues.
