Construction of a 41.7 kilometre stretch of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway is set to kick off next week.
Work on the Mombasa-Mariakani segment of the highway is the first phase in an infrastructural plan to upgrade the 485 kilometre road, a main artery for the region’s trade which has nevertheless been plagued by chronic traffic snarl-ups.
“Work along that section of the road will start in the second week of April and it is estimated to cost Sh22 billion,” said Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.
Work on the Mariakani-Mombasa segment of the highway is partly financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) which had in 2015 committed to Sh12.7 billion ($123 million) to the project.
Work on the road has been repeatedly delayed in the past despite government promises. In August 2015, the government promised that it would begin work on the Mombasa-Mariakani segment of the road within four months.
Further, there is a lack of clarity on the financing mix that the Treasury will use in addition to planned tolls.
Last year the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said the government was seeking funds from the United States.
In September, talks were held with the US government and an engineering firm, Bechtel, which led to the signing of a letter of interest in the project.
At the same time, the US Export-Import Bank said it was working to secure investment for the highway.
Mr Macharia has in the past said that the government will pursue private public partnerships to finance the project.
