The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The famous Great Rift Valley Viewpoint along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is set for a major facelift, with the government proposing the introduction of cable cars, modern curio shops and luxury hotels to transform the attraction into a world-class tourism destination.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir revealed the ambitious plans during an inspection tour of the ongoing Rironi-Mau Summit highway construction project.
According to Chirchir, the proposed cable car system will connect the A8 highway corridor to the A8 South section across the Great Rift Valley escarpment, giving visitors a unique aerial experience while improving access between the two routes.
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He said the government intends to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty by developing modern tourism facilities capable of attracting both local and international visitors.
Chirchir described the proposed development as a major tourism investment, noting that the current viewpoint has significant potential that has not been fully exploited.
The Cabinet Secretary also raised concerns about safety at the existing facility, saying its current design and layout do not adequately meet the required safety standards.
He explained that the redevelopment would involve redesigning the site to improve visitor safety while creating a more attractive environment for tourists.
In addition to the cable car system, the government plans to establish modern curio shops where visitors can purchase locally made products and souvenirs.
Private investors are also expected to be invited to develop hotels and other hospitality facilities, allowing tourists to spend more time at the attraction.
However, the proposed transformation comes at a difficult time for traders who have traditionally depended on the viewpoint for their livelihoods.
The ongoing expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway has resulted in the demolition of several roadside curio shops, leaving hundreds of traders uncertain about their future.
The affected businesses include vendors selling Maasai shukas, traditional carvings, soapstone products, beadwork and other locally made souvenirs.
Traders have appealed to the government to ensure they are included in the redesigned facility once construction is completed.
They estimate that approximately 300 people, including shop attendants and small-scale traders, previously depended on business activities around the tourist attraction.
Cable cars, also known as aerial ropeways, are passenger cabins suspended from strong overhead steel cables and operated through motorised systems.
The technology allows people to travel across steep slopes, mountains and valleys without requiring conventional roads to be constructed through difficult terrain.
Beyond transportation, cable cars offer tourists panoramic aerial views, making them popular attractions in several countries.
Bolivia has successfully developed one of the world’s largest urban cable car networks through its Mi Teleférico system, connecting the cities of La Paz and El Alto.
Other countries, including Colombia and Mexico, have also invested in cable car networks, while several European and Asian nations operate similar systems as part of their transport and tourism infrastructure.
The proposed redevelopment of the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint is part of the wider Rironi-Mau Summit highway expansion, which covers the A8 route between Rironi and Mau Summit and the A8 South corridor connecting Rironi to Naivasha through Mai Mahiu.
President William Ruto launched the multi-billion-shilling highway project in November 2025 under a public-private partnership arrangement.
The project is targeting completion by June 2027 and is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety and strengthen trade and transport connections across the region.
If implemented, the proposed cable car development could significantly change the experience of motorists and tourists visiting one of Kenya’s most recognisable natural attractions.
