President William Ruto has launched a Ksh19 billion expansion of the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, a project funded by an EU loan under the Global Gateway Initiative. The move marks a major step in modernising the nation’s busiest trade and transport corridor.
The expansion project, which will upgrade the stretch from Kwa Jomvu to Mariakani, is expected to ease congestion and improve safety along a road that carries heavy commercial and commuter traffic daily.
The loan is to be used to upgrade the road section from Kwa-Jomvu to Mariakani from a predominantly two-lane road into a four- and six-lane dual carriageway.
The government says the highway is a critical lifeline for both domestic trade and regional integration in East Africa.
The planned improvements are designed to reduce travel times and lower vehicle operating costs by minimising road wear and accident risks.
According to disclosures from the EU, Kenya received EUR 140 million (about Ksh 19 billion) in the current exchange rates.
The funds are raised from Team Europe, which is coffing up a €50 million (Ksh 6.8 billion) loan from EIB Global, a €50 million (Ksh 6.8 billion) loan from KfW, a €20 million (Ksh 2.7 billion) grant from the EU, and approximately €20 million (Ksh 2.7 billion) from the Government of Kenya.
According to a statement from the German Embassy in Kenya, the KfW Development Bank, a German financial institution, in collaboration with EIB Global and the European Union, provided up to €100 million (Ksh13 billion in the current exchange rates) in concessional loans towards the project.
Upon completion, the upgraded road will benefit an average of 20,000 vehicles per day travelling through Mariakani.
According to authorities, the expansion will not only widen the existing carriageway but also modernise interchanges and install advanced traffic management systems to alleviate the delays that frustrate freight operators and daily commuters alike.
Speaking at the launch, President Ruto emphasised the transformative potential of the project. “This expansion will transform the Nairobi–Mombasa corridor, easing congestion and driving economic growth across the region.”
An EU official echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are proud to support Kenya’s ambition to upgrade its key trade routes. This project will not only enhance connectivity but also foster economic resilience and job creation.”
Construction is set to commence in March 2025, with a projected completion period of 24 months.
The expansion comes amid a PIP project for Usahihi Highway, which aims to build an expressway to Mombasa.
The Usahihi project, aimed at enhancing secondary access routes, is slated to begin later in 2025 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.
