The US$3.6 billion highway connecting Kenyan capital Nairobi with its premier port, Mombasa, now looks to be taking another step forward. The 437km highway would be built under the PPP model.
The new highway is expected to cut travel times between Nairobi and Mombasa to just six hours. It will also boost transport and trade as well as increasing safety for drivers as the route will feature two lanes in either direction for much of its length (and three lanes in either direction along the busiest stretches) that will be separated from each other by a central divider.
Called the Usahihi Expressway, the route could take up to six years to complete. Financial backing from the US is expected to provide a significant portion of the funding required for its construction. The project is being managed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). Construction firm Bechtel was previously involved with the project but pulled out of the deal over a dispute.
