The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has opposed plans to build a 60-kilometre elevated expressway along the existing Thika Superhighway, warning that the project could affect businesses and create more problems for road users.
In a statement dated November 2, the association questioned the need for another highway above a road that already has several lanes and controlled entry and exit points.
MAK argued that the existing Thika Superhighway was designed to allow traffic to flow with limited interruptions, with pedestrian footbridges provided at designated points.
It noted that some sections of the road have up to 12 lanes, stretching from Pangani and Wangari Maathai Road towards Thika.
The association said spending more than KSh150 billion on an elevated road was not a good use of public resources, adding that the structure could change the character of the entire corridor.
One of its main concerns is the effect the elevated highway would have on the areas beneath it. MAK warned that the concrete structure could block sunlight, affect air quality and trap noise, leaving ground-level spaces dark and less secure.
The association also raised concerns about the disruption businesses along Thika Road could face during construction.
It drew comparisons with sections of Uhuru Highway and Mombasa Road, where businesses were affected during major road works and some were required to vacate to make way for construction.
According to MAK, the space needed to put up the expressway’s concrete pillars could reduce the available road space and interfere with business activities for years.
Government plans December groundbreaking
Opposition has emerged when the government is preparing to undertake the construction of Nairobi-Thika Expressway which will link Thika town to Museum Hill, Nairobi.
The 60-kilometre road will traverse Juja and Ruiru under the PPP framework.
The groundbreaking of the road is likely to be conducted in December 2026 by President William Ruto.
According to the government, the elevated expressway will segregate the long distance vehicles from the local transporters with the objective of easing traffic congestion along the heavily trafficked Thika Road corridor especially at Githurai, Ruiru and Juja.
There are plans to upgrade Muthaiga-Kiambu Road in order to ease the transport problem.