Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed that Kenya is constructing the longest bridge in Africa in partnership with the Japanese government.
In a statement shortly after the meeting with Japanese officials at the second Kenya-Japan Quality Infrastructure Conference in Nairobi, the CS indicated that the bridge is under construction in Mombasa.
"Japan is also involved in new major projects such as the Mombasa Gateway Bridge, which will be the longest in Africa," he stated.
"It will not only ease the movement of people and goods between the island and the South Coast but will also be a tourist attraction."
The CS further indicated that the two countries have longstanding relations on numerous projects lasting six decades, the most recent of which include the upgrading of Ngong Road in Nairobi and the construction of bridges in Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
The feasibility study for the Mombasa Gateway Bridge was carried out in 2019. It is expected to connect Mombasa Island with the South Coast replacing the ferry.
The project will be carried out using a loan from Japan valued at Ksh47 billion.
Its construction was initially scheduled to begin in June 2021 with the completion date set for 2024 but delays have led to postponements.
Part of the delays were caused by need to compensate a total of 1,706 households that were displaced from 725 plots amounting to 62.6 hectares of land.
Most of the affected families were from Likoni and Shika Adabu.
Families that also relied on fishing, estimated to be 500, will also be affected once the construction of the bridge officially kicks off.
About Ksh9.4 billion will be spent on compensation of the affected households.
