Motorists and transporters who use the busy Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba road could be a step closer to enjoying smoother travel after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) kicked off preparations for a major upgrade of the highway.
The roads agency has announced the start of feasibility studies for the 245-kilometre project, which is expected to improve transport and trade along one of the country’s busiest corridors.
In a notice published on Tuesday, June 2, KeNHA invited interested firms to apply for consultancy services to undertake the studies needed before construction can begin.
The proposed project, with an estimated cost of Ksh130 billion, will be carried out using the PPP model and will enhance the transport links within Kenya as well as other neighboring countries such as Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As per information from KeNHA, the studies will be funded by the AIIB, which recently provided financing for the exercise.
The selected consultants will be responsible for reviewing several areas of the proposed project, such as engineering aspects, traffic analysis, environment, economic, social and climate adaptation aspects of the project, among others.
The consultants will also review the tolling aspect of the highway.
KeNHA said the exercise is expected to take about one year to complete and will involve extensive fieldwork and technical assessments.
The main concern of the authority is to find firms that have prior experience in construction of major infrastructural developments, particularly in areas like highways, toll roads, and other such constructions that involve financing from foreign financial institutions.
This highway has been playing a significant role in linking the port of Mombasa with several other countries in East and Central Africa, but the increasing number of trucks has led to many traffic jams.
With the improvements done, the highway is set to enhance transportation on this route, lower costs of transport, and make the process of conducting trade smoother.
It is also set to contribute to the development of the towns lying along the corridor, such as Nakuru, Eldoret and Malaba.
Once constructed as envisaged, the highway will cement Kenya’s position as one of the main gateways for regional trade.
