KERRA’s 2026 Tarmac Road Upgrade Projects: Sorted Regional Breakdown

KERRA's 2026 tarmac road upgrade projects represent Kenya's most ambitious rural infrastructure push in recent history. With over 600 projects spanning all 47 counties, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority is transforming how millions of Kenyans access markets, schools, and essential services. This isn't just about smoother commutes but rather, it's about unlocking economic potential in regions that have historically been marginalized by poor road infrastructure.

The scale is staggering. From the dusty trails of Turkana to the bustling periurban routes of Kiambu, KERRA is upgrading roads that directly impact student commutes, farmer market access, and regional trade flows. For college students and young professionals entering the job market, these projects signal something more profound: opportunities in construction, engineering, and regional development that weren't available a decade ago.

What Is KERRA and Why Does It Matter?

The Kenya Rural Roads Authority emerged from the 2007 Roads Act as the government agency responsible for developing, rehabilitating, and maintaining rural road networks across Kenya. Unlike KeNHA (Kenya National Highways Authority) which handles major highways, or KURA (Kenya Urban Roads Authority) managing city roads, KERRA focuses specifically on connecting rural communities to economic centers.

KERRA is dedicated to the development, maintenance, and management of rural road networks across Kenya, enhancing connectivity, economic growth, and accessibility for rural communities. The authority operates through 47 regional offices, one in each county, ensuring localized oversight and community-responsive project implementation.

Why should this matter to you? If you're studying civil engineering, construction management, or regional planning, KERRA projects represent Kenya's largest employer in infrastructure development. The 2026 portfolio alone will require thousands of surveyors, engineers, machine operators, and skilled laborers. For business students, understanding KERRA's procurement processes and project financing models provides real-world insight into public infrastructure economics.

KERRA's Three-Pronged Mandate

KERRA operates under a clear framework that shapes every project decision:

Road Development: Constructing new roads where none existed, particularly in marginalized regions. This includes the ambitious projects in Mandera, Turkana, and Marsabit counties where road density remains critically low.

Rehabilitation: Upgrading existing murram or gravel roads to bitumen standard. The 2026 projects heavily emphasize this category, converting seasonal access routes into all-weather tarmac roads.

Maintenance: Routine and periodic upkeep of the existing 160,000+ kilometer rural road network. This prevents the deterioration that plagued many projects in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The 2026 Project Portfolio: Numbers That Tell a Story

The October 2025 tender notice revealed over 600 distinct road projects scheduled for implementation in the 2025-2026 financial year. These aren't small neighborhood streets—many projects span 10-30 kilometers and include complex engineering structures like bridges, box culverts, and drainage systems.

Breaking down the regional distribution reveals interesting patterns. Kiambu County leads with 39 projects, reflecting the authority's expansion into periurban areas where rural roads meet urban sprawl. Homa Bay County follows with 29 projects, addressing the region's historical infrastructure deficit. Nairobi County, Nakuru, and Siaya County both follow with 28 projects each, many serving rapidly developing areas across the mentioned regions.

What makes these projects unique is their community-specific design. Unlike the standardized highway projects, KERRA roads are tailored to local needs. A project like "Butere Lower Market - Firachi To Shibembe Primary" in Kakamega specifically targets agricultural market access and school connectivity. The "Calvary Hope Centre - Church of God - Utabithi - Deep Village (Osieko) Access" project in Migori demonstrates how KERRA considers religious and social infrastructure in route planning.

Understanding the Project Naming Convention

Every KERRA project carries a reference number following this format: KERRA/08/39/XXX/2025-2026. Let's decode this:

• KERRA: The implementing agency
• 08: Category code (08 typically denotes bitumen/tarmac projects)
• 39: Sub-category or funding stream
• XXX: Unique project identifier
• 2025-2026: Implementation fiscal year

This standardized naming helps contractors, suppliers, and regional offices track projects through the procurement pipeline. For students researching infrastructure projects, understanding these codes makes navigating KERRA's extensive project documentation significantly easier.

Central Kenya's Infrastructure Transformation

Central Kenya—particularly Kiambu, Murang'a, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga counties—receives substantial attention in the 2026 portfolio. This reflects both the region's high population density and its strategic position as Kenya's agricultural heartland.

Kiambu County:

Kiambu presents unique challenges. It's simultaneously rural and urban, with tea farms abutting tech startups in towns like Ruiru and Kiambu Town. The 2026 projects address this duality intelligently.

Projects like "Brookside - Kitogo - Kamba - Ha Karoki - Mutarakwa" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/427/2025-2026) connect dairy farming zones to processing plants. These aren't glamorous roads, but they're economically critical. Kenya's dairy industry depends on quick milk collection from farms to cooling plants—poor roads mean spoiled milk and lost income for thousands of farmers.

The "Oasis - Juja Access" project (Ref: KERRA/08/39/112/2025-2026) serves a different purpose entirely. Juja hosts multiple universities including JKUAT (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology), Zetech University, and several colleges. Improved access roads mean easier commutes for the estimated 50,000+ students in the area. 

Another fascinating project is "Ridgeways Lane Kiambu" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/039/2025-2026). Ridgeways represents Kiambu's evolution from rural farmland to upscale residential estates. This project acknowledges that "rural" roads now serve diverse populations—from smallholder farmers to corporate executives working remotely.

Murang'a County: Connecting the Coffee Belt

Murang'a's 13 projects target Kenya's premium coffee-growing regions. The county produces some of East Africa's finest Arabica coffee, but getting it from farm to auction has historically been challenging.

The "B23 - Mariira - Kigomo" road (Ref: KERRA/08/39/415/2025-2026) is particularly significant. It connects multiple coffee cooperatives to the main Nairobi-Nyeri highway, reducing transport time and costs. For coffee farmers, this translates directly to higher net income—less fuel spent on rough roads means more money at harvest time.

"Gatitu - Karimamwaro Access to Irati Coffee Factory" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/109/2025-2026) exemplifies KERRA's targeted approach. Rather than building arbitrary roads, this project specifically facilitates coffee processing by improving factory access. It's infrastructure planning driven by economic logic.

Kirinyaga County: Rice Paddies and Rural Industry

Kirinyaga's 25 projects reflect its dual identity as both a rice-growing region (Mwea Irrigation Scheme) and a mixed-crop agricultural zone. Projects like "Baricho - Umbui Road" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/443/2025-2026) serve rice farmers who supply supermarkets across Kenya.

What's particularly interesting about Kirinyaga's projects is the emphasis on school access roads. Projects like "Gacharu Primary School Access" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/444/2025-2026), "Karima Primary Access Road" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/445/2025-2026), and "Kibirigwi Primary School Access" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/222/2025-2026) recognize that education infrastructure isn't just about buildings—it's about ensuring students can actually reach those buildings safely.

The rainy season in Kirinyaga often isolates schools for weeks. Murram roads become impassable mud tracks, forcing attendance drops that impact academic performance. Tarmac school access roads solve this problem definitively.

Nyeri County

Tharaka Nithi County

Nyandarua County

Rift Valley Expansion: Opening Up Kenya's Agricultural Powerhouse

The Rift Valley receives the largest concentration of KERRA 2026 projects, with counties like Nakuru, Baringo, Bomet, Kericho, and Nandi accounting for over 120 projects combined. This makes economic sense—the Rift Valley produces the bulk of Kenya's wheat, maize, tea, and dairy products.

Nakuru County: Strategic Hub Development

Nakuru's 28 projects strategically target both agricultural zones and periurban growth areas. The county sits at the intersection of multiple economic corridors, making road connectivity particularly valuable.

The "C713 Lanet - Elementaita" project (Ref: KERRA/08/39/138/2025-2026) connects Lake Elementaita's tourism sector to Nakuru Town and the main Nairobi-Eldoret highway. This road serves hotels, campsites, and the Lake Elementaita area's flamingo viewing sites—tourism infrastructure that generates employment for hundreds of young Kenyans in hospitality.

"Londiani - Makutano" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/468/2025-2026) addresses one of the Rift Valley's most economically significant routes. Londiani serves as a major grain collection point where farmers from across Kericho and Bomet counties bring wheat and maize. Upgrading this road reduces grain transport costs, ultimately lowering flour prices for consumers nationwide. 

The "Mastima - Tergat - Salgaa" road (Ref: KERRA/08/39/413/2025-2026) tackles a different challenge. This stretch connects multiple flower farms to the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. Kenya's floriculture industry earns over $800 million annually in exports, primarily to Europe. Fresh-cut flowers are extremely time-sensitive—every hour matters. Better roads mean flowers reach Nairobi's airport cargo terminals faster, maintaining their freshness and commanding premium prices.

Bomet County:

Bomet hosts some of Kenya's most productive tea zones and extensive dairy farming. The county's 18 projects reflect this agricultural focus.

"Chumainik - Atebwo - Lelechwet Road and Atebwo Bridge" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/430/2025-2026) combines road upgrading with critical bridge construction. The Atebwo Bridge replacement addresses a bottleneck that has isolated several tea estates during flood seasons. Tea harvesting can't wait for sunny weather—fresh tea leaves must reach factories within hours of picking to maintain quality. Bridge failures cost tea farmers thousands of shillings per day in lost production.

The "Tilangok - Chepkosa Bridge and Approach Roads" project (Ref: KERRA/08/39/204/2025-2026) follows similar logic. These aren't just bridges—they're economic lifelines for communities whose livelihoods depend on reliable all-season access.

Baringo County: Unlocking Marginal Lands

Baringo's 9 projects target some of Kenya's most challenging terrain. The county combines arid lowlands with productive highlands, requiring roads that can handle steep gradients and variable weather conditions.

"Toboroi - Yatia - Loruk" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/052/2025-2026) connects pastoral communities to market centers. For Baringo's livestock keepers, road access determines whether they can get animals to market during drought seasons or lose them to starvation. This project literally means the difference between economic survival and collapse for thousands of households.

Keiyo/ Marakwet County

Kericho County

Nandi County

Uasin Gishu County

Narok County

Trans Nzoia County

Elgeiyo Marakwet

Turkana County

Samburu County

West Pokot County

Kajiado County

Laikipia County

Western Kenya: Market Access and Cross-Border Trade

Western Kenya—comprising Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Busia counties—receives 29 projects in the 2026 portfolio. This region borders Uganda and serves as a crucial trade corridor.

Kakamega County: High-Density Rural Networks

Kakamega has Kenya's highest rural population density, creating unique infrastructure demands. The county's 13 projects prioritize short, high-impact routes connecting densely populated villages to market centers.

"Mumias - Imanga - Musanda / Mudhiero - Elukongo - Ugana Bridge" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/193/2025-2026) serves the historical Mumias sugar belt. While the sugar industry faces challenges, the region remains agriculturally productive with extensive maize and sugarcane farming. This road connects multiple villages to Mumias Town, which despite industrial struggles remains a vital commercial hub.

The "Shabwali Madala" project (Ref: KERRA/08/39/091/2025-2026) and "Luther King Okuthe No.1 Junction" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/092/2025-2026) demonstrate KERRA's response to community-specific needs. These relatively short projects address localized bottlenecks that disproportionately impact residents' daily lives.

Busia County: The Uganda Gateway

Busia's strategic position as Kenya's primary crossing point to Uganda gives its 3 projects outsized importance.

The "Butula - Luhari - Kanjala" road (Ref: KERRA/08/39/411/2025-2026) connects rural Busia to both the Uganda border and the main Busia-Mumias highway.

Cross-border trade between Kenya and Uganda exceeds $600 million annually, with significant informal trade on top of official figures. Improved feeder roads on the Kenyan side facilitate this trade by making it easier for Kenyan farmers and traders to reach border markets.

Bungoma County

Vihiga County

Coast Region: Tourism and Agricultural Connectivity

Kenya's coast receives 8 KERRA projects in 2026, focusing on two distinct needs: tourism infrastructure and agricultural market access.

Kilifi County: Balancing Tourism and Agriculture

Kilifi's development challenges illustrate coastal Kenya's complexity. The county hosts major beach resorts yet contains extensive cashew nut plantations and coconut farms inland.

"Gede Forest - Dabaso - Turtle Bay Road" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/452/2025-2026) serves multiple purposes. It improves access to Turtle Bay resort area while connecting Dabaso fishing community to Malindi Town. The Gede Forest archaeological site attracts thousands of tourists annually—better roads mean more visitors spending money in local businesses.

Kwale County: Mining and Agriculture

Kwale's 3 projects support both the county's emerging mining sector (titanium extraction at Kwale Mineral Sands project) and traditional cashew nut farming.

"Chale - Neptune" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/156/2025-2026) connects the southern coastal tourism circuit. Chale Island hosts luxury resorts, while Neptune is a developing beach destination. This project recognizes that tourism infrastructure extends beyond hotel construction—accessible roads determine whether tourists can actually reach these destinations.

Taita Taveta County

Tana River County

Mombasa County

Eastern Province Regions

Embu County

Kitui County

Machakos County

Makueni County

Marsabit County

Meru County

North Eastern Regions

Garissa County

Wajir County

Mandera County

Nyanza Region

Siaya County

Homabay County

Migori County

Kisumu County

Kisii County

Nairobi Region

Bridge Projects: Engineering Solutions for Critical Crossings

Scattered throughout the 2026 portfolio are 47 bridge projects, ranging from simple box culvert replacements to major river crossings. These structures deserve special attention because they often represent make-or-break infrastructure for entire communities.

Why Bridges Matter More Than Roads

A washed-out bridge isolates communities completely. A potholed road slows travel; a collapsed bridge stops it entirely. KERRA's 2026 portfolio acknowledges this reality with substantial bridge investments.

In Makueni County, the "Construction and renovations of Kayatta Drift" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/125/2025-2026) and "Construction and renovations of Muua Drift" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/124/2025-2026) replace dangerous seasonal river crossings with permanent structures. During Kenya's rainy seasons, these drifts become death traps where vehicles regularly sweep away. Permanent bridges save lives while ensuring year-round connectivity.

Nandi County's "Kojyet Bridge" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/029/2025-2026) and "Salient and Chepchumbi Bridge" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/165/2025-2026) address similar challenges in the tea-growing highlands. These bridges ensure tea collection lorries can operate throughout the year, maintaining factory supply chains.

Technical Specifications Worth Understanding

Most KERRA bridge projects employ either:

Box Culverts: Rectangular reinforced concrete structures suitable for smaller watercourses. Quick to construct and cost-effective. Examples include numerous projects in Homa Bay and Kisii counties where seasonal streams require drainage structures rather than full bridges.

Beam Bridges: Traditional bridge design using steel or concrete beams spanning river channels. Used where water flow requires significant clearance. The various bridge projects in Baringo and West Pokot employ this design for larger rivers. 

Drift Replacements: Converting dangerous low-water crossings (drifts) to elevated bridges. This represents the majority of bridge projects in semi-arid regions like Kitui, Makueni, and parts of Embu.

Educational Access: Roads That Change Lives

One of the 2026 portfolio's most impactful categories involves school and college access roads. Across Kenya, 38 projects specifically mention educational institutions in their names, revealing KERRA's recognition that infrastructure directly impacts educational outcomes.

The School Access Challenge

Kenya's education system faces a paradox. The government built thousands of schools under various development programs, but many remain difficult to access, particularly during rainy seasons. Students walk kilometers through mud, cross dangerous streams, or simply stay home when roads become impassable.

The economic impact extends beyond students. Teachers refuse postings to schools with poor access. Supplies arrive late or not at all. Exam materials get delayed. These cascading effects mean infrastructure directly determines educational quality.

Projects Making a Difference

In Kirinyaga County, the concentration of school access projects demonstrates systematic planning:

• "Gacharu Primary School Access" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/444/2025-2026)
• "Karima Primary Access Road" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/445/2025-2026)
• "Kibirigwi Primary School Access" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/222/2025-2026)
• "Thumaita Primary School Access" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/150/2025-2026)

These aren't long roads—most span 1-3 kilometers. But their impact is disproportionate. A tarmac school access road means:

• Reliable attendance: Students can reach school regardless of weather
• Safety improvements: Vehicles can navigate roads safely, reducing pedestrian accidents
• Teacher retention: Educators find schools more attractive when accessible
• Community benefits: Roads serve entire villages, not just schools

In Nyeri County, "Kiangoma Primary School Access Rd" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/463/2025-2026) addresses a specific problem. The school sits off the main Nyeri-Nyahururu road, requiring students to navigate a rough track. During rainy seasons, parents keep children home rather than risk the dangerous walk. Tarmac access eliminates this dilemma.

University and College Connectivity

Beyond primary schools, several projects target higher education institutions. The "Junct Utawala Airways - St Patrick Catholic Church - St Macrina Centre" project in Nairobi (Ref: KERRA/08/39/157/2025-2026) serves multiple tertiary institutions in the Utawala area.

For college students reading this article, these projects directly impact your peers. Improved campus access means:

• Easier commuting for day scholars
• Better access for visiting lecturers and guest speakers
• Enhanced service delivery (food supplies, maintenance materials)
• Safer campus environments with properly engineered approach roads

Northern Kenya: Infrastructure in Challenging Environments

Kenya's northern counties—Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Samburu—represent the frontier of KERRA's infrastructure push. These regions historically received minimal road investment due to low population density, security challenges, and harsh environmental conditions.

The 2026 portfolio includes 28 projects in northern counties, signaling continued commitment to opening up marginalized regions.

Turkana County: Pastoral Economy Infrastructure

Turkana's 7 projects address the specific needs of pastoral communities. Roads here serve different purposes than in agricultural regions—they connect water points, livestock markets, and administrative centers rather than farms and crop markets.

"Kakuma - Lokangae - Nasinyono Gravelling and drainage" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/054/2025-2026) serves the Kakuma refugee camp area while connecting pastoral communities to Lodwar, the county capital. This project recognizes Kakuma's dual role as both a humanitarian hub and a trade center for South Sudan border commerce.

The "Lopiding Centre - Lorus - Kapetadie - Napakin Nadapal" road (Ref: KERRA/08/39/163/2025-2026) connects Turkana to South Sudan's border at Nadapal. This route facilitates legitimate cross-border trade while improving access for Turkana communities scattered along the border region.

Marsabit County: Desert Connectivity

Marsabit's 8 projects tackle some of Kenya's most challenging road construction environments. The county's terrain varies from volcanic mountains (Mount Marsabit) to lowland deserts, requiring diverse engineering approaches.

"Lensayu Kurbuta" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/065/2025-2026) connects isolated pastoral communities to Marsabit Town. In counties like Marsabit, roads serve as lifelines during drought emergencies—they determine whether relief supplies reach communities in time or arrive too late.

The "Buro - Kargi road" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/330/2025-2026) opens access to the Kargi area, historically one of Kenya's most isolated regions. Kargi sits between Marsabit and Turkana counties, serving as a crucial waypoint for pastoral groups moving with livestock.

Mandera County: The Somali Border

Mandera's 15 projects reflect both developmental and security imperatives. The county's roads must serve civilian populations while supporting security operations along the Somalia border.

"Banisa - Dadash" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/137/2025-2026) connects border areas to county headquarters at Mandera Town. These roads transform security operations by enabling rapid response while simultaneously improving civilian access to services.

The "Bulla Hagar - Warangara Road" (Ref: KERRA/08/39/359/2025-2026) serves pastoral communities while opening access to the Ethiopia border, facilitating trade in livestock and goods.

The Procurement Process: How Projects Come to Life

Understanding KERRA's procurement system helps contextualize why projects take specific forms and timelines.

From Planning to Implementation

KERRA projects follow a structured pipeline:

Community Needs Assessment: County offices identify priority routes based on community input, traffic volumes, and economic impact assessments. This explains why seemingly random villages get roads—they've been identified through systematic community engagement.

Technical Surveys: Engineering teams conduct route surveys, soil testing, and traffic studies. These surveys determine whether roads should be tarmac, gravel, or murram based on anticipated traffic and soil conditions.

Environmental Impact Assessment: All projects undergo environmental review to minimize ecological disruption. This process can delay projects but ensures sustainable development.

Tender Preparation: Projects get packaged into tender documents specifying technical requirements, timelines, and budget constraints. The October 2025 tender notice represents this stage for 513 projects.

Contractor Selection: Through competitive bidding, qualified contractors win projects. KERRA's regional structure means local contractors often compete for projects, facilitating local job creation.

Implementation and Supervision: Contractors execute projects under KERRA supervision, with quality checks at multiple stages. This supervision explains why KERRA maintains regional offices—constant oversight ensures quality standards.

Why This Matters for Students

If you're studying civil engineering, understanding KERRA's procurement system is career-relevant. The authority is Kenya's largest infrastructure employer outside major highway projects. Knowing how to navigate tender processes, meet technical specifications, and manage project timelines determines career success in this sector.

For business and economics students, KERRA projects demonstrate public infrastructure financing mechanisms. The 2026 portfolio costs billions of shillings sourced from:

• Road Maintenance Levy Fund: Fuel levy collections
• Exchequer allocations: Direct government budgets
• Development partner funding: World Bank, AfDB, and other lenders
• County government contributions: Shared funding arrangements

Understanding these financing mechanisms provides insight into Kenya's infrastructure economics and public finance management.