Kenya's Transport Ministry has provided a fresh update on three major expressway projects spanning over 700 km. Acting Secretary for Roads Gilbert Arasa briefed Chief of Staff Felix Koskei during a high-level meeting. The initiatives aim to ease congestion and boost economic growth.
Gilbert Arasa, Acting Secretary for Roads in the State Department for Roads, detailed progress on the 40-km Nairobi-Thika Expressway. Preparatory activities are underway, with construction set to start in October 2026. "For the Nairobi-Thika expressway, the project preparatory activities are ongoing, and once this is done, it is expected to reduce congestion along that road, which has a very high traffic volume of 150,000 to 250,000 vehicles per day on some sections," Arasa told stakeholders.
On the 480-km Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, known as Usahihi Expressway, the government is procuring a transaction advisor. The multi-billion-shilling project, estimated at Ksh450 billion ($3.5 billion), will be undertaken by U.S.-based Everstrong Capital. It will cut travel time from over 10 hours to about four to five hours.
Pre-feasibility studies for the 240-km Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba Expressway are ongoing and due by June 2026. Costing Ksh130 billion ($1 billion), the four-lane access-controlled dual carriageway will be implemented by KeNHA and the AIIB.
The ministry is also developing a National Expressway Masterplan, with a request for expressions of interest already advertised. "The Ministry is also preparing the National Expressway masterplan, and its current status is the request for expression of interest in developing the masterplan. It has already been advertised," Arasa said.