The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the behemoth responsible for the nation’s arterial road network, has a new captain. In a strategic move to fortify its leadership ahead of critical infrastructure projects, the board has appointed Engineer Luka Kipchumba Kimeli as the new Director General, signaling a shift towards seasoned technocratic control.

This appointment, effective February 17, 2026, is not merely a changing of the guard; it is a calculated deployment of expertise. Engineer Kimeli replaces Acting Director General Engineer Isaac Maina, who has held the fort during a transition period. Kimeli steps into the role with a formidable war chest of experience—over 27 years in the infrastructure sector—making him one of the most qualified engineers to ever hold the position.

A Technocrat for Turbulent Times

The timing of this appointment is critical. The government is currently rolling out a series of mega-projects aimed at transforming Kenya’s transport logistics corridor ahead of the 2027 general elections. The pressure to deliver on time and within budget is immense. Kimeli’s track record suggests he is a man built for the trenches of public works. His career has seen him navigate the complexities of policy, engineering, and project management, a triad of skills essential for navigating the often murky waters of public procurement and construction.

• The Mandate: Kimeli is tasked with overseeing the completion of ongoing highway expansions and initiating new corridors that are central to the administration’s economic manifesto.
• The Process: The board emphasized that the recruitment was competitive and transparent, a necessary assurance given the high-stakes nature of the role involving billions of shillings in contracts.
• The Legacy: He succeeds a line of DGs who have overseen the transformation of Kenya’s road network, but he faces the modern challenges of debt management and sustainable maintenance.

The Road Ahead

Kimeli takes over an agency that is both powerful and scrutinized. KeNHA determines the flow of commerce across East Africa. Every pothole and every stalled project is a political liability. Sources within the Ministry of Roads indicate that Kimeli’s immediate priority will be to streamline operations and ensure that the "Roads 2027" agenda stays on track.

For the motoring public, the name Luka Kimeli might simply be a signature on a press release. But for the contractors, engineers, and policymakers of Kenya, his arrival marks the beginning of a new, rigorous era at Barabara Plaza. The engineer has taken the wheel; now he must drive.