Murang'a County has emerged as the leader among Kenya's 47 counties for the longest stretch of tarmacked Class C rural roads, according to the Economic Survey 2026. The county boasts 389.6 kilometres of paved roads, representing 70.6% of its total 552.1-kilometre Class C network.

The survey, which incorporates data from the 2025 Road Inventory and Condition Surveys (RICS), reveals a substantial increase in Kenya's Class C rural road network—from 18,321 kilometres in 2024 to 28,150 kilometres in 2025. This growth largely results from the identification and mapping of previously unrecorded roads during the RICS exercise.

National Road Network Growth and Funding

At the national level, paved Class C roads increased modestly to 5,163 kilometres in 2025, while unpaved roads surged to 22,987 kilometres. Counties in northern and eastern Kenya, including Marsabit, Garissa, and Turkana, saw significant expansions in unpaved roads, highlighting ongoing challenges with road accessibility in these regions.

The government allocated KSh 168.7 billion for road projects in the 2025/26 financial year, with KSh 97.7 billion dedicated to development and KSh 71.0 billion to maintenance. Of the development budget, KSh 83.0 billion targets trunk and primary roads, and KSh 14.7 billion is earmarked for urban roads.

Top 10 Counties by Length of Paved Class C Roads

  • Murang'a: 389.6 km paved (70.6% of 552.1 km total)
  • Kiambu: 387.6 km paved (54.7% of 709.1 km total)
  • Third-ranked county: 376.4 km paved (39.5% of 953.1 km total)
  • Nyeri: 275.0 km paved (52.5% of 524.1 km total)
  • Uasin Gishu: 266.2 km paved (47.3% of 562.6 km total)
  • Migori: 241.0 km paved (41.8% of 577.0 km total)
  • Kirinyaga: 157.3 km paved (46.3% of 339.8 km total)
  • Narok: 157.5 km paved (13.2% of 1,192.0 km total)
  • Machakos: 163.4 km paved (20.1% of 814.8 km total)
  • Baringo: 185.1 km paved (19.8% of 936.0 km total)

The data underscores a regional disparity, with central and parts of the Rift Valley counties enjoying higher paved road coverage, while northern and eastern counties remain heavily dependent on unpaved roads that are vulnerable to weather disruptions.