The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has rejected President William Ruto's proposal to build another expressway to complement the Thika Superhighway, labelling the project as neither urgent nor a priority.
In a statement on Monday, December 15, the association said that the Thika Super Highway meets global standards to be recognised as an "expressway", since it has no cross traffic, no traffic lights, no roundabouts, and controlled access.
Furthermore, the association noted that the superhighway is still effective, since it handles heavy volumes smoothly, handling an estimated 500,000 vehicles in one direction and nearly one million vehicles daily in both directions on busy days.
According to the association, the government should instead focus on enhancing certain sections of the highway, such as constructing a viaduct at Pangani to streamline seamless traffic flow from Kiambu Road over the junction towards Wangari Maathai Road, Murang’a Road, and Kariokor.
Additionally, the association has urged the government to fast-track the inclusion of the mass traffic solutions along the corridor, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit, which will ensure that both vehicles and people benefit from the highway.
"Globally referred to as expressways, motorways, freeways, autobahns, or autoroutes, such roads are multi-lane facilities designed for uninterrupted, high-speed vehicular movement, with no traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, or cross traffic," MAK stated.
They further added that express lanes have limited entry and exit points managed via slip roads, acceleration lanes, and merging sections, while pedestrians, bicycles, animal-drawn carts, and small motorcycles are strictly prohibited.
According to the association, constructing another 'expressway' along the corridor is unnecessary, and the government should pump in the efforts to other transport projects that prioritise safety, efficiency, equity, and the movement of people.
The Head of State revealed plans to construct an new expressway to complement the existing Thika road during the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, December 12, the Head of State.
President Ruto said that the highway would begin near the existing Nairobi expressway at Museum Hill interchange and end at Thika town.
The president claimed that the construction of the road will reduce the constant traffic congestion witnessed along the ever-busy route.
"A lot of Kenyans live in Thika, and the current Thika road is very congested, and there are a lot of vehicles using the Thika road. I want to announce that next year, we will construct an expressway from Thika to Nairobi at Museum Hill," Ruto said.
Speaking during a church service in Karure, Kiambu County, on Sunday, December 14, Ruto also said that the government will begin the dualling of the Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi road in February 2026.
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