Mwai Kibaki. Photo: Courtesy
Former Vice President and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday revealed that former President Mwai Kibaki declined a proposal to have the Thika Superhighway named in his honour.
Speaking during an interview on NTV, Kalonzo said, “When we constructed the Thika Superhighway, we tried to convince Kibaki to name it after him, but he did not want that.”
The Thika Superhighway, a landmark infrastructure project in Kenya, was constructed between 2009 and 2012 to ease traffic congestion between Nairobi and Thika town in Kiambu County.
The highway, spanning approximately 50 kilometres, was upgraded from a single carriageway to a modern multi-lane road, featuring six to eight lanes in most sections, service roads, pedestrian walkways, footbridges, and interchanges.
Funded by the Government of Kenya with support from the African Development Bank, China Exim Bank, and China Development Bank, and constructed by Chinese contractors led by China Wu Yi, the highway has transformed the corridor.
It has significantly reduced travel time, improved road safety, and spurred economic growth along towns such as Ruiru, Juja, and Kahawa, boosting both real estate and industrial activity.
Kalonzo’s remarks shed light on the former president’s humility, as he reportedly opted not to have the project bear his name despite its national significance.
The Thika Superhighway remains a symbol of Kenya’s push for modern infrastructure, and its development continues to influence urban growth and economic activity along the corridor.
Travelers and residents alike continue to benefit from the road, which has become one of the busiest and most important highways in the country.