President William Ruto has announced that construction of the long-awaited Thika–Westlands Expressway will officially begin in September 2026 — a move that is already reshaping how Kenyans think about buying a home in Nairobi Kenya and along its fast-growing commuter corridor.
Speaking during a church service at Jesus Compassion Ministry Ruiru on Sunday, February 22, the Head of State said the new road is designed to permanently address congestion on the Thika Super Highway and improve access between Thika, the city centre and Westlands.
“This traffic jam, after Githurai, causes disruption all the way to Museum Hill. I have a plan. Just as we constructed the expressway from JKIA to Westlands, I will return here in September to begin construction of the expressway from Thika,” Ruto said.
The new expressway will run from Thika to Museum Hill Interchange, significantly reducing travel time for commuters heading into Westlands and the wider Nairobi CBD.
Property market impact along the corridor
For the housing sector, the announcement is a major trigger for renewed interest in buy a home in Nairobi Kenya strategies, especially in satellite towns that rely heavily on Thika Road.
Real estate agents report growing inquiries from buyers searching for:
- buy a house in Kenya options within emerging commuter towns,
- houses for sale in Nairobi and its surrounding neighbourhoods,
- affordable homes in Kenya suited to young families and salaried workers,
- well-planned gated community houses in Kenya, and
- ready houses for sale in Kenya for buyers who want immediate occupation.
The expressway is also expected to accelerate new off-plan housing projects in Kenya, particularly near upcoming interchanges, as major property developers in Kenya position themselves early to secure land and approvals.
For long-term investors, the corridor from Ruiru to Thika is increasingly being promoted as one of the most promising locations for residential homes for sale in Nairobi suburbs, driven by easier daily access to the city’s employment zones.
Financing and first-time buyers
The infrastructure upgrade is equally important for access to mortgage financing in Kenya, as lenders typically favour developments in areas with strong infrastructure and reliable transport links.
This is especially relevant for first-time home buyers in Kenya, who are now being advised to consider locations that will benefit directly from the expressway rather than only traditional inner-city estates.
Route, length and previous commitments
Ruto’s latest remarks follow an earlier announcement made during the 2025 Jamhuri Day celebrations, when he revealed that the government would construct a 60-kilometre highway to complement the existing Thika Road.
According to the President, the road will start near the Nairobi Expressway connection at Museum Hill and terminate in Thika town.
The project, however, has attracted criticism from the Motorists Association of Kenya, which argues that the existing Thika Super Highway already meets international expressway standards, citing controlled access and the absence of roundabouts or traffic lights.
Wider Kiambu and regional road upgrades
Beyond the Thika expressway, Ruto announced that the government has injected more than KSh15 billion in 2026 alone into road projects across Kiambu County.
Additional works include the dualling of the road from Pangani Nairobi to Denderu, as well as the upgrading of the road linking Kamakis to Kiambu town.
The announcement also comes amid ongoing expansion works on the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway, including the dualling of the Rironi–Mau Summit section, which is expected to be completed by June 2027.
Why this matters for home buyers
With multiple road projects converging around Nairobi’s northern growth belt, real estate analysts say the September 2026 start date strengthens the long-term case for Buy a home in Nairobi Kenya, particularly for buyers targeting future capital appreciation rather than only immediate rental returns.
As traffic reliability becomes a key decision factor, the Thika–Westlands Expressway is set to redefine where and how Kenyans choose to live — and could be the single biggest infrastructure boost yet for anyone planning to Buy a home in Nairobi Kenya within the next two to five years.
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