This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
As of May 12, 2020, the Nairobi Western Bypass upgrade has reached 24.5 percent completion, marking significant progress on the ambitious project.
The 16.8 kilometer bypass will feature a four-lane expressway and seven interchanges at strategic locations, including Lower Kabete, Gitaru, Ndenderu, Ruaka, Wanginge, Rumingi, and Kihara.
Construction is ongoing, with five Box Culverts and Underpasses already completed. Additional underpasses are currently under construction.
The $168 million project, funded by the China Exim Bank and the Kenyan Government, is the fourth and final ring of the Nairobi Ring Roads.
However, the project has faced delays due to the slow pace of relocating existing power lines within road reserves. The National Lands Commission has since gazetted the acquisition of additional land for the project, with the commission noting that the land acquisition process is underway.
Upon completion, the Western Bypass will feature eleven traffic bridges and pedestrian underpasses, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and improved safety for pedestrians and other non-motorized road users.
China Road and Bridge Corporation is undertaking the project, which is expected to be completed within 39 months. The project aims to ease traffic congestion in Nairobi, promote economic growth, and improve safety for road users.
