KeNHA seeks $1bn World Bank financing for 815km Lake Victoria Basin roads
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The roads authority has applied for about $1 billion in World Bank financing to upgrade and rehabilitate 815km of roads across eight western Kenya counties, with procurement expected between October and December 2026.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is seeking about $1 billion in World Bank financing to upgrade and rehabilitate approximately 815 kilometres of roads across eight counties in the Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley regions, together with related digital and logistics infrastructure.
According to a project notice, the programme covers Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties. Five main road sections have been identified for initial design-and-build packages: the approximately 176-kilometre Muhuru Bay-Sori-Nyagwethe road linking Migori and Homa Bay, the 174-kilometre Nyagwethe-Mbita-Homa Bay road, the 188-kilometre Awasi-Katito-Otonglo-Asembo road connecting Kisumu and Siaya, the 177-kilometre Asembo-Nyamonye-Port Victoria-Mulwanda road serving Siaya and Busia, and the 100-kilometre Chavakali-Kapsabet-Eldoret road.
The first four sections are planned for upgrading, while the Chavakali-Kapsabet-Eldoret corridor is designated for rehabilitation. The works include spur roads, non-motorised transport facilities and associated civil works for fibre-optic cable installation, with approximately 815 kilometres of fibre planned along the corridors.
KeNHA expects the road packages to be divided into roughly 12 contracts, although the number, size and composition remain indicative. Additional components cover rest stops, truck parking facilities, export aggregation hubs, logistics support infrastructure and one-stop border facilities at selected locations, plus socio-economic infrastructure and institutional strengthening for transport-related agencies.
Procurement is expected to begin between October and December 2026, subject to approvals, and will follow open international competitive procedures under World Bank rules, with individual contract notices to be published on the World Bank's external website, KeNHA's site and in national newspapers. An early market engagement session is scheduled for 18 November 2026 at the Barabara Plaza Auditorium at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, with virtual participation available and attendance confirmations due by 13 November.
The authority said the engagement meeting is non-binding and does not constitute a tender invitation, prequalification or shortlisting. The notice follows earlier preparation work under a World Bank grant of about $3 million that supported preliminary engineering designs, environmental and social studies and related assessments. KeNHA said the financing remains at the application stage, no construction contracts have been awarded and physical works have not commenced.