Kenyan Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that President William Ruto will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed Nairobi–Thika Expressway within one to two months. Kindiki made the announcement during an event in Kiambu County. The project aims to provide a 60-kilometre elevated road linking Thika town to Nairobi at Museum Hill, alleviating traffic congestion between the two areas.
The proposed Nairobi–Thika Expressway has been compared to the existing Nairobi Expressway, which runs from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to James Gichuru in Westlands. Preliminary cost estimates for the new expressway place the construction at between KSh 150 billion and KSh 200 billion. However, the final cost has not been confirmed, and the government is expected to pursue a public-private partnership to finance the road.
The government commissioned a feasibility study for the project about a month before Kindiki’s announcement. The study examined possible alignments, engineering specifications, and traffic capacity, as well as assessed environmental and social impacts and land acquisition requirements. Although the report’s notes do not make clear whether the study has been completed, it is expected to play a crucial role in the project’s development.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of the Thika Superhighway, which was built during former president Mwai Kibaki’s tenure. The Thika Superhighway was expected to ease congestion between Thika and Nairobi, but rising vehicle numbers have since overwhelmed its capacity. The new expressway aims to address this issue and provide a more efficient transportation solution.
The government has not yet finalised the financing arrangement for the project, and no funding partners or financing agreements have been named. Once completed, the Nairobi–Thika Expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Thika and Nairobi, boosting economic activity and development in the region.
The project’s design and implementation will require careful planning and coordination to ensure its success. With the groundbreaking ceremony expected to take place within two months, the government will need to move quickly to finalise the financing arrangement and complete the necessary preparations.
The Nairobi–Thika Expressway project is a significant infrastructure development initiative aimed at addressing the growing transportation needs of the region. Its successful implementation will depend on effective collaboration between the government, private sector partners, and other stakeholders.
Key points
- President William Ruto will launch the Nairobi–Thika Expressway within two months.
- The proposed expressway aims to alleviate traffic congestion between Thika and Nairobi.
- The project’s estimated cost ranges from KSh 150 billion to KSh 200 billion.
