Uhuru Announces Expressway Opening Date

The Nairobi Expressway will be opened to the public on Saturday, May 14, on a trial basis.

This was announced on Sunday, May 8, by President Uhuru Kenyatta after awarding medals to winners of the Nairobi City Marathon, dubbed the Uhuru Classic.

The President further noted the Jubilee government flagship project will be open to the motorists who will then be expected to give feedback on the whole tolling process.

The Head of State noted that the opening will help his administration establish the loopholes in running the multi-billion project.

From the Second left: Sports CS Amina Mohamed, President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta arrive at the Nyayo National Stadium for the inaugural Nairobi City Marathon on May 8, 2022

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"All of you who have run are the first to use the new Expressway which we built to ease traffic jam in Nairobi as we better our city in the sun. This week on Saturday (May 14), on a trial basis, we shall open the Expressway for vehicles so that Kenyans can start using it as we monitor what needs to be fine-tuned," announced the President.

The news comes as a relief, albeit two months after an opening date proposed by Transport Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia, who in July 2021, declared that the elevated highway would be launched by February 2022.

Uhuru personally inspected the progress of the Expressway in December 2021 and drove himself on the 27-kilometre stretch.

So far, ariel images seen by Kenyans.co.ke show that most work has been completed and toll stations fully set up.

On April 6, Moja Expressway, the company tasked with managing and running the road, opened the registration process for motorists who plan to use it. Motorists will have the option of paying using cash, using a Manual Toll Card (MTC) or through an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC).

Those using the MTC will be charged based on the distance they have covered. On the other hand, the ETC requires users to install an On-Board Unit which will have points that will be deducted every time the vehicle is on the road.

Among the issues that need to be fine-tuned is the flooding of the undercarriage by hanging drainage pipes whenever it rains. In a statement by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), workers have been deployed to handle the issue.

"The contractor is working to ensure that the drainage is finalized and fixed in a safe manner for all motorists. Extra work teams and equipment have been deployed to focus on all outstanding works including the drainage system - targeting completion before the rains result in peak flows," stated KeNHA late last month.

President Uhuru Kenyatta flags off the inaugural Nairobi City Marathon on May 8, 2022.

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