Construction of the long-awaited Lake Victoria Ring Road is expected to begin before the end of the year, with the government saying funding for the first phase is in place.
The 612-kilometre road will connect five lakeside counties: Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori. The first phase is budgeted at about Ksh60 billion, and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has said the money from the World Bank has already been received.
In November we are coming here to break ground for the longest road.
President William Ruto, speaking in Kisumu on September 13
A decade in the making
The project was first proposed in 2016 with World Bank support at an estimated Ksh41.6 billion. The Kenya National Highways Authority says the cost has since risen to about Ksh70 billion, reflecting modern design standards and a wider scope.
The roads ministry provided a fresh update on the programme this week following a meeting with the World Bank, saying works are planned to begin before year-end.
What it means for the region
Supporters say the road will open up fishing and farming communities around the lake, cut travel times between lakeside towns and boost trade with Uganda and Tanzania. Residents and local leaders will be watching closely to see whether the November groundbreaking keeps to schedule.
