President William Ruto announced that the dualling of the Makutano-Embu-Meru-Maua highway will commence by the end of this year or early next year. This initiative is part of a broader government plan to expand Kenya's road network by 2,500 kilometres over the next decade.

• The project aims to ease heavy congestion, particularly at the notorious Nithi Bridge area, and boost economic activity in Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru counties.
• The announcement was made during a meeting with Kenya Methodist Church leaders at the State House on Friday, February 20.
• The highway dualling is a priority project within an ambitious infrastructure development program, including the Rironi-Mau Summit road, projected to cost up to Ksh200 billion under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).