Kenya’s Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has issued an ultimatum to engineers from China Wu Yi firm to complete the US $148m Waiyaki way expansion project by the end of July 2021. According to the CS, the delays are becoming more frequent
The project involves the expansion of a 25km stretch of Waiyaki Way starting from James Gichuru Road junction to Mai Mahiu turnoff on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. The project, which began in 2017, was slated for completion in December 2020.
The road expansion which is expected to reduce the frequent traffic jams experienced in Kenya’s capital Nairobi is part of the World Bank-funded mega roads expansion project.
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Road upgrade projects in Kenya
In recent years, the Kenyan government has continually invested in the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the country in a bid to spur economic development. Through the R2000 programme, the government is building 4,120km of roads countrywide, of which an estimated 1,413km were completed by end of 2019. On final completion, the cost of the road works is estimated at US $3bn.
The R2000 programme is a countrywide strategy for road development that ensures maximum utilisation of locally available resources where such resources are technically and economically feasible. The programme is meant to create gainful employment opportunities for Kenyans while supporting local industry and more importantly refining the country’s road network.
Some of the major ongoing road construction projects in Kenya include the Kibwezi-Kitui-Migwani Road covering 192km at a cost of US $170.4m; James Gichuru-Rironi Road (25km) at a cost of US $148m; and Nairobi Outering Road (13km) at US $108.3m.
