KENHA OUTLINES NEXT STEPS FOR NAIROBI - MOMBASA EXPRESSWAY PROJECT

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has shed light on the way forward for the proposed 459-kilometre Usahihi Expressway linking Mlolongo in Machakos County to Bonje in Mombasa County.
According to KeNHA, the project—structured under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (DBFOMT) model—was initiated as a Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) and received conditional approval to proceed to the Project Development Phase. During this phase, the developer carried out feasibility studies, which were submitted to KeNHA in May 2025.
However, in its 54th Ordinary Meeting held on July 2, 2025, the Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) Committee concluded that the proposal did not meet the criteria outlined in the PPP Act, 2021. The committee recommended that it be abandoned under Section 43(11)(c) of the law.
Despite the setback, the committee suggested that the project could be restructured—such as through expansion of the existing A–B highway—and resubmitted for consideration under Section 43(12) of the Act.
The Usahihi Expressway is envisioned to significantly cut travel time between Nairobi and Mombasa, ease congestion along the busy corridor, and boost trade and tourism once completed.