This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Published on July 10, 2020, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has finally offered an update on the long-awaited Thika Superhighway footbridges.
Despite numerous promises and delays, the footbridges at Survey and Garden City are still under construction. In February, KeNHA Director General Peter Mundinia had assured that the footbridges would be completed within two months.
However, a recent statement from KeNHA suggests that the footbridges are now in the final stages of assembly and will soon be erected. The statement reads, 'The KSMS and Garden City bridges are in the final stages of being assembled and will soon be erected.'
The footbridge at Survey of Kenya, which was partially closed to motorists in 2018, was initially expected to be completed in mid-April. Fourway Construction Limited has been contracted to construct the Survey of Kenya and Garden City footbridges at a cost of Sh390 million.
The construction of the four footbridges along the Superhighway, which will cost the taxpayer a whopping Sh820 million, began in May 2018. However, only one footbridge, the Witeithie bridge, has been completed and opened to the public. Interways Works Limited has been contracted to install the Witeithie and Mang'u footbridges at a cost of Sh430 million.
KeNHA has blamed the delay on a slow pre-export inspection of the importation of the Chinese-built footbridges. The Thika Superhighway is fitted with 18 footbridges, with 10 more designed but yet to be erected due to lack of funds.
