The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has secured funding from the World Bank to support the development of a national expressway network, marking a major step in the government’s plan to expand high-capacity road infrastructure.
The funding falls under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, which is aimed at improving transport systems and strengthening regional connectivity.
At the centre of the initiative is the preparation of an Expressway Network Masterplan that will guide where future expressways will be built and which routes will be prioritised.
“The government has received financing from the World Bank and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultancy services for the preparation of an expressway network masterplan for Kenya,” KeNHA said in a notice dated Tuesday, March 24.
According to the Authority, the masterplan will map out key corridors for development, setting the stage for long-term investment in modern highway infrastructure across the country.
KeNHA has now invited consulting firms to express interest in undertaking the assignment, with selected firms expected to conduct a comprehensive study over a period of nine months.
The scope of work will include demand forecasting, analysis of existing transport systems, and a review of national and regional development policies.
Consultants will also be required to carry out economic and environmental impact assessments and identify expressway corridors suitable for development, including those that can be implemented under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Authority noted that firms applying for the role must have at least 10 years’ experience in highway engineering, transport planning and infrastructure development, alongside the technical capacity to deliver on the project requirements.
The move is expected to open up opportunities for private sector participation in road development, particularly through PPP arrangements aimed at easing the financial burden of large-scale infrastructure projects.
The latest development comes weeks after the administration of President William Ruto announced plans to roll out several major road projects to boost trade and connectivity.
Among the key projects under consideration are the 60-kilometre Nairobi–Thika expressway, the Nairobi–Mombasa dual carriageway and the 500-kilometre Lake Victoria ring road, all of which are expected to play a critical role in improving movement of goods and people across the country.
The masterplan is now expected to provide a clear roadmap for how these and other projects will be prioritised and implemented.
