The Kenyan government has stepped up preparations for the construction of the proposed 612-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road after Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir joined World Bank officials to assess the planned project.
The inspection, conducted on Saturday, October 17, 2026, focused on existing road conditions, proposed routes and challenges that could affect the design and implementation of the major infrastructure project.
The World Bank delegation was led by Qimiao Fan, the institution’s Division Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda. The team assessed sections of the proposed road network as the government works towards the project’s implementation.
Chirchir said the road projects would improve regional connectivity, open up rural economies and support key sectors such as agriculture, tourism and trade. They are also expected to improve access to essential services for communities across the region.
The Lake Victoria Ring Road is planned to pass through five counties: Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori. It is expected to connect lakeside communities, agricultural areas, fishing landing sites and commercial centres.
The project was initially planned to cover approximately 500 kilometres. However, the government later expanded its scope to include the 112-kilometre Kisumu-Busia Highway, increasing the planned network to about 612 kilometres.
The Kisumu-Busia route is an important section of the Northern Corridor, which connects Kenya to Uganda and other regional markets.
In September, President William Ruto announced that the government had set aside KSh60 billion for the first phase of the project, with construction expected to begin in November 2026.
The latest inspection marks another step in preparations for the long-awaited road network. However, the Ministry of Roads and Transport has not yet provided a detailed construction schedule following the assessment.
Once completed, the road is expected to make transportation easier, improve connections between western Kenya’s counties and support the movement of goods to local and regional markets.
The project is also expected to improve access to tourism destinations around Lake Victoria while creating opportunities for businesses and communities along the route.