President Uhuru Kenyatta has officially opened the 27 KM Nairobi Expressway following the completion of the trial period for motorists. The president stated at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) that the sh88 billion project has not been financed through debt or government funds. He expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders who ensured that the project is completed within its stipulated time and also, thanked residents of Nairobi who have had to cope with the inconvenience and the disruption that came with the road construction.
The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which executed the project, financed, designed, and built the expressway will maintain the road for 30 years before, transferring its ownership to the government. In the 30 years, the company will be collecting toll charges from motorists and vehicles using the road thus getting their money back. Due to the introduction of an accelerated construction program, the project was completed in 18 months as opposed to 36.
The time it takes to go from Mlolongo in Machakos County to Rironi in Kiambu County now ranges from 15 to 24 minutes since the road for public trials was opened in April. Before the road was constructed, one would take at least three hours to travel the same distance, which is comparable to traveling to Addis Abeba and back.
President Uhuru also opened the renovated Nairobi Eastern Bypass road. The Nairobi Eastern Bypass connects the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway with the Nairobi-Thika Highway. This road was renovated to reduce congestion into and out of Nairobi, improve connectivity inside the Nairobi Metropolis, and spread out traffic. This 27.8 KM road was expanded from a single 2-lane road to a dual 4-lane carriageway at a cost of Ksh12.5 billion.
This unique project strengthens Nairobi’s position as the region’s capital and economic hub, securing the country’s status as Eastern and Central Africa’s commercial and diplomatic hub. The President has also announced the ongoing expansion of Mombasa Metropolitan road.
Under Kenyatta’s administration, more than 11,500 kilometers of new tarmac roads were constructed, increasing Kenya’s network of paved roads by more than 85%. Results show that 70% of Kenyans now have access to an all-weather road network within 2 kilometers of their houses.
The 27 km Nairobi Expressway, is the largest Private-Public Partnership project in the entire area, demonstrating the trust that investors have in President Kenyatta. Zhou Pingjian, the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, stated that China and Kenya’s relationship has reached a new level unparalleled in history and that China values Kenya’s vital support whenever China’s interests are involved.
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