The government has begun assessing the proposed Lake Victoria Ring Road with the World Bank as preparations for the major road project continue ahead of planned construction.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 17, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the team inspected existing roads, reviewed proposed routes, and identified challenges that need to be addressed during project design and implementation.
The mission was led by Qimiao Fan, the World Bank’s Division Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda. Chirchir said he joined the team on the ground to assess road conditions and identify areas where transport links need improvement.
“These projects will be critical in strengthening regional connectivity, opening up rural economies, supporting agriculture and tourism, facilitating trade and improving access to essential services,” Chirchir stated.
An aerial view of a section of the proposed Lake Victoria Ring Road project on October 17, 2026.
Photo
MORT
The assessment follows Cabinet approval of the Lake Victoria Ring Road and two other major road corridors under the Roads for Rural Economic Development Programme.
The proposed ring road was initially planned to cover nearly 500 kilometres around the Lake Victoria region. However, the government later expanded the project to incorporate the 112-kilometre Kisumu-Busia Highway.
In June 2026, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced that the addition would increase the planned road network to approximately 612 kilometres.
The Kisumu-Busia Highway is a key section of the Northern Corridor, which links Kenya to Uganda and other markets in the Great Lakes region.
The proposed Lake Victoria Ring Road will pass through Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties, linking lakeshore communities with towns and commercial centres across western Kenya.
The route is expected to improve access to fishing landing sites, agricultural areas and tourism destinations around the lake, while easing the movement of goods between local markets and regional trading centres.
In September 2026, President William Ruto announced a Ksh60 billion allocation for the project's first phase and said construction was expected to begin in November.
In Chirchir's latest statement, the Ministry has yet to provide a detailed construction schedule, despite President Ruto announcing in March that construction would begin before the end of the year.
An aerial view of the road adjacent to Lake Victoria, where the proposed Lake Victoria Ring Road is set to pass through, with Gwasi Hills overlooking.
Photo
KeNHA