President William Ruto has announced that construction of the long-awaited Thika Expressway will commence in September 2026, marking a major step toward addressing chronic traffic congestion along the busy Thika Road corridor.
Speaking during a church service at Jesus Compassion Ministry in Ruiru on Sunday, February 22, the President said the new expressway would provide a lasting solution to persistent traffic snarl-ups that have long plagued motorists traveling between Thika and Nairobi.
“This traffic jam, after Githurai, causes disruption all the way to Museum Hill. I have a plan. 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.
According to the Head of State, the planned expressway will stretch from Thika to Museum Hill, significantly easing pressure on the heavily used highway that links Kiambu County to Nairobi’s central business district. The project is expected to mirror the success of the Nairobi Expressway, which has transformed travel between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Westlands.
The Thika Expressway project was first hinted at in December last year, when President Ruto announced plans to develop a new high-speed link between Thika and Nairobi to improve access to the capital and boost economic activity in the region.
Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce travel time, enhance connectivity, and support ongoing efforts to modernize Kenya’s transport infrastructure.
