The Motorists' Association of Kenya (MAK) has written to the government requesting details on the ongoing Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway project.
In a letter dated March 12 and addressed to the Ministry of Transport, the association called on the government to clarify its plans to toll the major highway upon its completion.
MAK also demanded details on the funding model that will be used to finance the project and the entities involved in the multi-billion road construction.
Details about the construction of the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, dubbed Usahihi, first came to light in May last year during President William Ruto’s state visit to the United States.
Structured under Public Private Partnership (PPP), Everstrong Capital, a US infrastructure and investment company, is expected to preside over the construction of the highway for Ksh464 billion.
The 440-kilometre road is engineered to accommodate the safe passage of trucks, buses and other vehicle classes, with the road featuring rest stops, wildlife observation points and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Nonetheless, in the letter to the Ministry of Transport, the Association also sought information concerning the government’s intention to upgrade the Rironi-Mau Summit Road.
According to MAK, it learnt about the project through media reports, which indicated that the government was planning to commence construction of the highway in June this year.
While seeking clarification on the project, the association urged the government to disclose the funding model that will be used to finance the project and whether the highway will be constructed by private contractors.
"We have learned through media reports that the government plans to launch this project in June. Our members, who are primarily vehicle owners, wish to understand what funding model will be used for this project and whether the highway will be constructed by the government or a private entity," noted MAK.
This comes three days after President William Ruto’s cabinet directed the finalisation of the construction framework and the groundbreaking of the 170km four-lane highway by June 1, 2025.
According to the cabinet, the project will involve upgrading the road from a two-way single carriageway to a four-lane dual carriageway, significantly improving traffic flow.
This road development is expected to ease transport and travel from Nairobi through Nakuru to Western Kenya, a route that has long suffered from serious traffic congestion on weekends and during national holidays.
