The expansion of the Nairobi-Mombasa highway is now moving from the planning stage to the implementation stage. The transport cabinet secretary, Mr. Davis Chirchir, told the Senate on Wednesday that the expansion plan is in its final stages of financing and construction setup, with the Public Private Partnership report almost approved and ready to guide the implementation process.
This highway is one of the most important in the country, with the expansion of the highway going beyond the country, as it connects the country with other countries in the Northern Corridor.
Chirchir told the senators that the PPP Directorate and the Kenya National Highways Authority are in the process of evaluating the cost of the project in order to ensure that the investment is worthwhile.
“We are looking at the cost, the value for money, and whether the investors have the capacity to deliver the project,” Chirchir said.
The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway is notable as it is a very important road for the country, as it connects it with the East African countries. This has seen it take priority in the eyes of the government. On another note, the government has set its sights on improving other key roads, such as the Kisumu-Kakamega Road.
This has been pushed to the top of the list of road improvements owing to concerns raised by citizens regarding safety and traffic on the road.
The project is set to be funded by the newly formed National Infrastructure Fund. However, Chirchir noted that the construction of the same is subject to the outcome of the feasibility study, which includes issues of traffic and whether the project is feasible financially.
Legislators, such as Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, were concerned over the delay and the need to improve the road network in the region.
On the other hand, plans are also underway to redesign and improve the Nithi Bridge, which is in an area that is widely known for many accidents. This is according to the CS. He noted that the new design will involve the construction of a wider road with walkways on both sides of the same.
The area has been identified as a danger zone with very sharp bends and deep slopes. The upgrade is set to make this area safer.
The ministry is planning to seek more funds to upgrade other danger zones such as the Coptic Roundabout in Kisumu as well as the Kisumu-Muhoroni road, which has seen a large number of accidents in recent times.
If this upgrade is implemented, it is set to greatly improve transport, trade, as well as accidents in Kenya.
