Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has called on the national government to accelerate the long-stalled dualling of the Nairobi‑Mombasa Highway. His appeal comes after a recent crash at Salama that claimed 17 lives. The governor warned that further delays could result in additional loss of life. He urged the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to act swiftly on safety measures at the Salama stretch. This is not the first time the governor has spoken on the issue, having referenced earlier interventions at Salgaa and Nithi Bridge.
The 461‑kilometre Nairobi‑Mombasa Highway has seen little progress on its dual carriageway upgrade for almost a decade. Despite an initial 2017 plan to award the construction contract to an American firm, the project has stalled. The National Treasury and the Public‑Private Partnership Committee had earlier rejected a Ksh468 billion greenfield expressway proposal by Everstrong Capital. The proposal was rejected due to cost and fiscal risk. The focus then shifted to upgrading the existing A8 corridor.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed on 18 March that the dual‑carriageway project remains a high‑priority initiative. He stated that the development phase will commence once the PPP assessment report is completed. The report is currently in its final stages. KeNHA is pursuing a brownfield model to widen the A8 into a tolled, access‑controlled four‑lane dual carriageway.
KeNHA has already begun procuring a transaction advisor to structure the expansion. Early implementation phases are also underway. The government is exploring ways to fast-track the project. This comes as a relief to road users who have been complaining about the poor state of the highway.
The Nairobi‑Mombasa Highway has been plagued by accidents in the past. The Salama crash is just one of many incidents that have occurred on the highway. The government has been urged to take action to prevent such accidents from happening in the future.
The government has pledged support for the victims' families. They will cover burial costs and transport of bodies. This was conveyed by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib on behalf of President William Ruto. A post‑mortem investigation has also been announced. The findings of the investigation will be released publicly.
The dualling of the Nairobi‑Mombasa Highway is a critical project that will improve road safety and reduce travel times. The project's implementation will also have a positive impact on the economy. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr's appeal to the government to accelerate the project is timely.
Key points
- The Nairobi‑Mombasa Highway has seen little progress on its dual carriageway upgrade for almost a decade.
- The project has stalled due to cost and fiscal risk concerns.
- The government has pledged support for the victims' families, covering burial costs and transport of bodies.
