The Ksh65 billion Nairobi Expressway is expected to be a major game-changer opening-up the city with a greater capacity for vehicular traffic.
The 21KM elevated highway which begins at Mlolongo to JKIA, Nairobi’s CBD and ends at Westlands along Waiyaki Way is being undertaken through a public-private partnership (PPP) which China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) undertaking the construction works.
To carry out the project, the Chinese contractor requires materials which the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) revealed opened up opportunities for the local suppliers.
Local suppliers have since gotten a chance to cash in on the multi-billion project with the provision of materials ranging from cement, sand, aggregates, fuel, reinforced steel, and timber.
A construction expert who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke disclosed that the materials used at the construction site are readily available locally.
KeNHA disclosed that the project required 280,000 tonnes of cement which by the current market rate for a 50Kg bag of cement translates to Ksh3.36 billion to supply the material.
"Several companies in Kenya can supply the cement in the bulk quantities required which would be a big payday for them," the construction expert disclosed.
The roads agency noted that 350,000 tonnes of sand will be used through to the completion of the project. Sand which is sourced from local rivers at a rate of Ksh14,500 per 14 tonnes would translate to Ksh362.5 million to the suppliers.
Aggregates or ballast that are used in the construction and sourced from a local quarry at a rate of 19 tonnes Ksh29,000 would amount to Ksh1.068 billion for the 700,000 tonnes needed.
As for fuel, going by the highest price of Ksh106 per litre of petrol, suppliers would make a maximum of Ksh 773.8 Million for supplying 7.3 million litres of fuel.
Local suppliers also engage in equipment leasing Ksh547 million as well as providing transportation logistics Ksh656.7 million.
KeNHA added that the Expressway required reinforcement steel of upto 90,000 tonnes.
There are different steel types in the market which each having its own rate. The cheapest being the D8 going for Ksh 450-500/- per piece of 12 metres and the most expensive being the D25 going for Ksh4,700/- per piece of 12 metres.
The project has also seen the creation of employment opportunities. According to a 2020 year-end review by the National Construction Authority (NCA), the elevated road saw the creation of over 3,000 jobs.
NCA director general Maurice Akech noted that the employment opportunities from the 27KM road were helping many households earn income.
The construction of the Nairobi Expressway has also opened up a wave of opportunities for the local labor force and the local supply chain.
A number of Kenyan engineers and technicians have been deployed to the project site of the mega project.
Out of a current labor force of 3,656, there are 2,808 Kenyan management and construction staff.
