How Nairobi Expressway is Putting Money in People's Pockets - Report

An aerial view of the on-going Nairobi Expressway project along Mombasa Road
An aerial view of the on-going Nairobi Expressway project along Mombasa Road
File

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has seen massive job losses, infrastructure projects including the construction of the Nairobi Expressway have helped in job creation for Kenyans.

According to a year-end review by the National Construction Authority (NCA), the Ksh 65 Billion elevated road saw to the creation of 3,000 jobs.

NCA director general Maurice Akech noted that the employment opportunities from the 27KM road were helping many households earn income.

An image of Maurice Akech
National Construction Authority (NCA) Executive Director Maurice Akech speaking at an event in February 2020.
Photo
NCA

“The expressway employs about 3,000 workers during its construction and will employ about 500 workers during operation.

"We formulated health operational procedures at construction sites thereby saving jobs and securing investments during this era of Covid-19 pandemic,” he stated.

A number of Kenyan engineers and technicians have been deployed to the project site of the mega project.

"These young minds are a sample of a local labour force of about 1,878 construction staff members who are working on site.

"In addition, there are 145 Kenyan staff working on the relocation of water facilities," KeNHA Board of Directors Chairman Eng. Wangai Ndirangu observed during a visit to the site in November 2020.

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has also undertaken various road projects (32) coupled with Kenya Railways upgrading the Nairobi commuter facility.

The NCA Director-General noted that the projects had created hundreds of jobs for skilled and unskilled artisans.

Nairobi Expressway workers on site
Nairobi Expressway workers on site
Twitter

Kenya’s unemployment rate grew two times between April and June 2020, as 1,716,604 Kenyans lost jobs in the period, a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) showed.

On the other hand, road construction across Kenya has maintained thousands of jobs, making the sector a credible economic stimulus.

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