A Ksh22 billion superhighway will be constructed along the Northern Corridor between Mombasa and Mariakani Weighbridge. This will hasten movement of persons and goods from Mombasa Island. The Kenya Government has signed a multi-billion agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to convert a section of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway into a dual carriageway to ease congestion.
It is expected that Transporters travelling into the interior to deliver goods to Countries within the East and Central African Region will experience efficient service delivery. The road project expansion is expected to immensely contribute and alleviate poverty levels in line with the Government’s development plan.
Before 2013, goods being transported from the Port of Mombasa to Rwanda and Uganda took up to 18 days. Through President Uhuru Kenyatta’s intervention, goods being transported from the Port of Mombasa to Kampala in Uganda now take less than four days on the 1160 kilometers distance.
The Kenya National Highways Agency (KeNHA) estimates that on completion of the six lane dual carriageway in three years, the total cost of constructing the road will have risen to approximately Ksh24.5 billion. This section of the superhighway will be 11.7km long.
AfDB Regional Director Gabriel Negatu said the project is expected to start in four months time (before December 2015). “Our support is in line with our strategy to align our funding programmes with the Country’s Vision 2030.”
The deal with African Development Bank will see the government construct the first 11 kilometers of the 40 kilometers road section between the Port of Mombasa and Mariakani Weighbridge.
The Government expects to mobilise an additional Ksh 50 billion that will partly be used to expand the 6.4 kilometers from Moi international Airport Mombasa and the Port Reitz access road joining the Nairobi Mombasa dual carriage way.
This earth-shattering road project will come with its benefits and displeasures. It is expected that as is the norm in road construction projects, structures will be demolished. Some of those to be affected include Churches, Residential Houses and perimeter walls.
The National Land Commission has said that the 11km road construction from the Port of Mombasa will require that about 62acres of land be acquired from those residing near the road.
It will also call for the Government to compensate those whose land will be acquired compulsorily. Unfortunately those who will have encroached on Government land illegally will not be compensated.
KeNHA says that the section of the 11 kilometers road is faced with rapid increase in traffic volumes and intensive land usage. It is estimated that about 4,000 trucks use the road daily ‘To and from Mombasa Island’ causing inconveniencing massive traffic snarl-ups.
The current road capacity is overwhelmed due to persistent traffic congestion, which leads to economic losses, safety risks and environmental degradation. The Acting General Manager in charge of special projects at KeNHA Eng. David Muchilwa said rehabilitation works on several sections of the Northern Corridor is underway.
These sections include, Maji ya Chumvi-Miritini Road, Sultan Hamud-Machakos Turn-Off, Lanet-Njoro, Njoro Turn Off-Timboroa, Mau Summitt–Kericho Kericho-Nyamasaria and Nyamasaria-Kisumu Airport. The Kisumu By-pass and the on-going rehabilitation of Kisumu Airport-Kisian Road have been done.
During stakeholders’ consultations, KeNHA was asked to consider setting aside lanes that will be used by trucks to ensure free flow of traffic especially from Mariakani to the Weighbridge. It was observed that roads used by both trucks and other vehicles tend to experience high rates of traffic congestion.
In another development, Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) will raise about Ksh. 50 billion to fund projects like the relocation of the Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa aimed at deepening and straightening of berths at the Port.
The coastal region is famous in Kenya for tourist attraction sites. This improved road network programme is bound to spur development in the Tourism sector since good roads inspire many people to travel. Mombasa Port is a key import and export gateway into this East African Region that has many landlocked Countries. (BY SHARON MALONGO
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