# Ruto Claims Kenya Highway Deal Saves US$446M

> Kenyan President Ruto says renegotiated highway deal saves US$446m versus cancelled French contract.
- Title: Ruto Claims Kenya Highway Deal Saves US$446M · The Rio Times
- Summary: Kenyan President Ruto says renegotiated highway deal saves US$446m versus cancelled French contract.
- Keywords: kenya, president william ruto, rironi-mau summit highway, kenyan shillings, infrastructure, highway deal, contract cancellation, toll road, The Rio Times
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/kenya-ruto-rironi-mau-summit-road-deal-savings
- Author: Contributing Reporter
- Published: 2026-11-12T15:50:39+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kenya, president william ruto, rironi-mau summit highway, kenyan shillings, infrastructure, highway deal, contract cancellation, toll road, news, world, politics
## Ruto's Highway Deal Announcement
Kenyan President William Ruto stated the renegotiated Rironi-Mau Summit highway deal saves Ksh58 billion (US$446 million) compared to the cancelled French contract.

> The road sits on the main freight route from Mombasa port to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, so its cost and builder matter beyond Kenya.
## Cost Comparison
Ruto said the new road costs Ksh191 billion (US$1.47 billion) versus Ksh249 billion (US$1.92 billion) for the French contract.

> Ruto called the gap "nearly Ksh60 billion".
## French Contract Cancellation
Ruto claimed the French consortium built no road in six years and lacked capacity to build the highway.

> Ruto said court action held up the works, and Kenya paid Ksh6.4 billion (about US$50 million) to exit the contract.
## Exit Costs
Kenya paid Ksh6.4 billion (US$50 million) to exit the French contract, avoiding potential costs of Ksh25.8 billion to Ksh38.7 billion.

> Ruto said he reached out to French President Emmanuel Macron, adding: "I could clearly see that the matter in court would cost us more money than the negotiation we had."
## Toll Road Details
The new road spans 210 km with tolls of Ksh8 per kilometre (US$0.06) versus Ksh12 per kilometre (US$0.09) in the previous agreement.

> Ruto called the financing "innovative" and said it comes "without burdening Kenyans with additional taxes or additional debt".
## Construction Progress
Works are 40 percent complete with completion expected in 2027, though the first stage missed its deadline.

> Transport minister Davis Chirchir now wants it open by December 2026 and blamed a bitumen price rise.
## Construction Partners
China Road and Bridge Corporation builds the first stage with the National Social Security Fund as partner.

> Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International, a Chinese contractor, was assigned the Nakuru to Mau Summit section.
## Political Implications
Ruto faces voter concerns about road costs ahead of the 2027 election, with cheaper road a political argument.

> Ruto said he accepts being called a micro-manager "because I have to be accountable".
## What to Watch Next
Details of extending the dual carriageway to Malaba and Kisumu are pending, with first stage expected open by December 2026.

> The first stage, Rironi to Naivasha, missed its 30 October 2026 deadline, as we reported in our story on the delay.
## Key takeaway

Kenyan President William Ruto claims the new Rironi-Mau Summit highway deal costs Ksh58 billion (US$446 million) less than the cancelled French contract.