This archive report was first published on 24 October 2019.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced plans to acquire 1.3 acres of land in Uhuru Park to make way for the JKIA-Westlands Expressway project.
Published on October 24, 2019, the project, valued at Sh59 billion, will be financed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The Expressway will start at Mlolongo and head to JKIA, passing through James Gichuru, with the government making deliberate efforts to minimize land acquisition.
According to KeNHA, the preliminary land-take is approximately 35 acres, including 60 percent of public land and 40 percent of private property.
KeNHA has emphasized that the developer will take a risk to construct the Expressway, as the existing road will still be maintained and in use, and no motorist will be forced to use the Expressway.
The Expressway will be tolled at a cost of Sh11.24 per km.
The double-decker highway, launched last week by President Uhuru Kenyatta, aims to reduce heavy traffic gridlocks along Mombasa Road.
The project has been delayed for nearly a decade, with the first construction attempt collapsing due to World Bank concerns and financing cuts.
The proposed elevated dual carriageway will be built in three phases, with the first phase covering 6.5 kilometers from JKIA to Likoni Road and the Southern Bypass interchange.
Approximately 3,000 people will be employed during construction, and 500 during the operation of the Expressway.
