By Joshua Otieno | July 3, 2026
NAIROBI, KENYA — The Government has announced a major breakthrough in the country’s infrastructure programme after clearing KSh177 billion in pending bills owed to road contractors, paving the way for the resumption of stalled road projects across Kenya.
Speaking at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the payments have enabled contractors to return to sites where projects had stalled between 2020 and 2021 due to unpaid bills.
According to the Deputy President, the Government has paid a total of KSh270 billion to road contractors over the past year, allowing construction to continue on nearly 8,000 kilometres of bitumen roads spread across all 47 counties.
“Our national roads programme has resumed after the Government cleared KSh177 billion in pending bills owed to contractors whose projects stalled during the 2020–2021 period,” said Kindiki.
The Deputy President noted that the renewed investment reflects the Government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and supporting economic growth through better transport networks.
He said the ongoing projects are expected to ease the movement of people and goods, improve access to markets and public services, and create employment opportunities in different parts of the country.
Kindiki also announced that the long-awaited modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) officially commenced this week.
The modernization project, valued at approximately KSh155 billion, is expected to transform Kenya’s main international gateway by expanding passenger handling capacity, upgrading facilities and strengthening the country’s position as a regional aviation hub.
“Modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has commenced this week at a cost of KSh155 billion,” he stated.
During the meeting, the Deputy President received a comprehensive progress report on ongoing road projects across the country as well as updates on the scope of works and expected milestones for the JKIA modernization programme.
The Government says the renewed investment in roads and aviation infrastructure forms part of its broader strategy to stimulate economic growth, improve transport efficiency and strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional trade, tourism and logistics hub.
With contractors now back on site and key projects gathering momentum, the Government remains optimistic that accelerated infrastructure development will contribute significantly to job creation, regional connectivity and long-term national development.
