The government is planning to introduce cable cars, world-class hotels and redesigned curio shops at the famous Great Rift Valley Viewpoint as part of efforts to transform the tourist attraction along the Nairobi-Nakuru section of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the plans would turn the scenic stopover into a major tourism destination, with cable cars connecting the A8 and A8 South sections of the highway across the escarpment.
The proposed cable cars would allow tourists to travel in suspended passenger cabins supported by overhead steel cables, providing aerial views of the Great Rift Valley, Mount Longonot and the surrounding escarpment.
“We are going to redo the curio shops that will force tourists to stop and want to spend time. We will probably let investors put up hotels. We want to leverage the God-given tourist attractions of the Rift Valley,” he added.
Some traders have previously warned that the changes could leave hundreds of people without livelihoods, arguing that the viewpoint has supported businesses selling souvenirs, traditional ornaments, carvings and other locally made products to local and international tourists.
The traders have also called on the government to provide alternative business spaces or allow them to return once construction is completed, with some saying their businesses support employees and families who depend on the income generated from tourism.
However, Chirchir did not provide a timeline for the proposed cable car installation, disclose when the government would begin procurement or tendering, or explain the expected cost and financing arrangements for the project.
The CS said contractors would concentrate on completing the road base before applying the final asphalt layer, adding that the government was targeting to open the 60-kilometre section to motorists before the end of 2026-Kenyans.co.ke. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
