The Government of Kenya has set up plans of spending a total of Ksh394 billion for the KeNHA Highways Plan in the coming 5 years on the construction, repair, and enhancement works of major highways in the country in the in a tight fiscal space that has made Treasury cut the overall budget for the roads in the recent financial allocations.
In this five-year strategic KeNHA Highways Plan that has been set up by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) revealed that a lump sum amount of this money, Ksh192.5 billion, would be utilized for the enhancement works of the major roads, which will be inclusive of the dualling of Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway.
Building of news roads including those that have already kicked off construction works is set to cost a total of Ksh117 billion. KenHA will utilize another Ksh84.5 billion on the rehabilitation works of roads that are in poor condition thereby bringing the total expenditure on the road projects to a total of Ksh.394 billion.
The Kenyan government has made emphasis on the road construction due to the high risk of debt distress that is being experienced in the country, therefore it has opted to go into partnership with the private sector to finish some of the road projects that had already been started.
In the review period between 2023 and 2027, the government agency (KeNHA) has been tasked with the task of mobilizing funds that will be used for constructing 3 toll roads, which entails the dualling of Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit which KeNHA will contribute a total of Ksh35 billion.
The Mau Summit-Malaba section, KeNHA will has set plans of mobilizing Ksh12.5 billion even though the government has not revealed information about the new contractor that will be responsible for the construction of the dual carriageway that is expected to open the Northern Corridor.
Budget Allocation of the KeNHA Highways Plan
The Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway has received first-stage approval for its construction works. It has been allocated a budget of Ksh25 billion. This toll road is set to be built under a public-private partnership model (PPP).
Kula Mawe-Modogashe road is expected to cost a total of Ksh11.6 billion. The Isiolo-Kula Mawe is expected to consume another Ksh9.98 billion as the government gears up to wind up the road projects that were left unfinished by the previous government.
Additionally, KeNHA is also set to build Isiolo-Mandera road, Barpello-Marichpass road, and Marsabit-Segel-Maikona road. These roads are foreseen to provide access and connect both the arid and semi-arid regions which are livestock production areas to very key markets. KeNHA is expected to spend approximately Ksh6 billion on this road project.
“A total of 2,349 kilometers of roads will be constructed within the 2023 to 2027 planned period. This comprises a total 1,183 kilometers of new roads construction, 674 kilometers of roads will undergo enhancement and lastly 492 kilometers of roads will undergo rehabilitation works,”KeNHA revealed in its strategic plan of 2023-2027.
Funding of the Plan
The financing of the implementation of this strategic KeNHA Highways Plan shall be met when KeNHA will lobby the exchequer for sufficient funding; Ring Fencing Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) for maintenance of roads; involve partners for development for the funding of the major projects. The body will also enhance its internal revenue generation capacity and embrace PPPs and instilling tolls on major roads.
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