Construction work is starting on two important road projects in Kenya. These are for the Dongo Kundu Southern Bypass and for the Mau Highway. The Mau highway project is worth US$2 billion and forms part of the route that links Kenya’s key port at Mombasa through its capital Nairobi to the border with neighbouring Uganda.
The 180km Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau section of the A104 route will feature two lanes in either direction. The deal is being handled under a package that includes design, financing, maintenance and operation. Toll revenue will be collected by the builder for the concession term agreed with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). The package also includes maintaining and operating the Nairobi Southern Bypass as well as maintaining Gitaru-Rironi section of the A104. The bidding process has been lengthy, having taken close to two years for the project and with some of the firms that showed initial interest having pulled out of the running towards the end.
Meanwhile the Dongo Kundu Phase Two project is being carried out by the Japanese firms, Mitsubishi Corporation and Fujita Corporation. This $238 million project is for a 9km stretch of dual carriageway, as well as including building the Mwache Bridge, Mwache Viaduct and Mteza Bridge.
