This archive report was first published on 3 October 2021.
On October 3, 2021, the Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia led a tour of the Nairobi Expressway, highlighting its potential to transform the city's transportation landscape.
The Nairobi Expressway, a 27km stretch, is expected to be completed in February 2022, tested in March, and commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in April 2022.
According to the Head of the President's Delivery Unit and State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita, the country loses approximately Sh11 million in economic value every hour due to traffic congestion. The goal is to reduce this loss by improving the city's infrastructure.
Mr. Waita emphasized that the expressway is part of a larger project aimed at addressing the economic impact of traffic jams. The project includes the expansion of the Eastern Bypass from City Cabanas to Ruiru, connection to the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD), and North Airport road to Outer Ring through Umoja to Dandora and ending at Baba Dogo.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia explained that the expressway is one of the segments from Athi River turn-off to James Gichuru Road, which is now about 64 per cent complete. The section to Rironi is now 93 per cent complete and will run from there to Mau Summit, a distance of 175km with a loop round Naivasha.
Mr. Macharia noted that their focus is to ensure no segment is left behind, with the Athi River turn-off joining two critical TransAfrican highways. The project has integrated not only inter-county infrastructure but also intra-Africa infrastructure.
