The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has identified inadequate funding as a major obstacle to expanding and improving key highways, including the Mombasa‑Nairobi corridor. According to KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli, the agency faces intense competition for budget allocations from other government sectors, which limits the pace at which planned upgrades can be undertaken. This has hindered the dualling of the Mombasa‑Nairobi Highway, a project that could significantly reduce accidents on the high‑risk route.
The Mombasa‑Nairobi Highway is one of the most critical routes in Kenya, and dualling it could greatly improve road safety. KeNHA estimates that dualling more than 2,500 kilometres of roads could significantly cut accident rates, especially on identified high‑risk sections such as the Mombasa‑Nairobi highway. The authority has lost many lives on that road to date, and Kimeli emphasized that upgrading the highway is a top priority.
However, the project faces significant challenges, including terrain and design hurdles in certain sections. According to KeNHA’s Director of Development Henry Gakuru, these challenges are additional risk factors that need to be addressed. The agency is working on speed‑calming measures and other interventions at blackspots to mitigate these risks. Gakuru's comments highlight the complexity of the project and the need for a comprehensive approach.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has a different perspective on the causes of accidents on Kenyan highways. The authority disagreed that road condition alone explains the surge in crashes, pointing to vehicle condition, driver behaviour, and post‑crash response as contributing factors. This suggests that addressing road safety will require a multi‑faceted approach that involves various stakeholders.
Motorists have raised concerns about the condition of several highways, including the Nairobi‑Nakuru and Nakuru‑Eldoret routes. They cite inadequate signage, stalled trucks, unmarked speed bumps, and risky driving as major issues. These concerns highlight the need for urgent action to address the challenges facing Kenya's highway network.
Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to expanding key highways and is working on funding solutions for the Nairobi‑Mombasa road and other accident hotspots. Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir affirmed the government's commitment to improving road safety and infrastructure. The government is exploring ways to address the funding shortfall and ensure that critical projects are completed.
The dualling of the Mombasa‑Nairobi Highway is a critical project that requires a coordinated approach from various stakeholders. KeNHA, NTSA, and the government must work together to address the challenges facing the project and ensure that it is completed on time. The project has the potential to significantly improve road safety and reduce accidents on one of Kenya's most critical highways.
Key points
- Inadequate funding and terrain challenges are major obstacles to the dualling of the Mombasa‑Nairobi Highway.
- The project has the potential to significantly reduce accidents on the high‑risk Mombasa‑Nairobi route.
- The government remains committed to expanding key highways and is working on funding solutions for the Nairobi‑Mombasa road and other accident hotspots.
