This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 16, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta officially launched the construction of the JKIA-James Gichuru Expressway project, a 27km road that aims to ease traffic congestion in Nairobi.
Accompanied by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and other leaders, Uhuru launched the project, which will be implemented by Kenha and will feature a four-lane dual carriageway with 10 interchanges, including the SGR terminus at JKIA, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass, and Enterprise Road.
The project is part of the government's plan to reduce traffic jams in the city centre by completing a ring road and four link roads. According to the World Bank, Nairobi's traffic jams cost the country approximately Sh50 million daily in lost man hours.
Currently, it is estimated that up to 60,000 vehicles ply the JKIA-Westland route daily, with about 25,000 motorists expected to use the tolled express highway when completed.
