Kenya Ports Authority has registered support for the construction of the Usahihi Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, which is 440km long. The Managing Director of KPA – Capt. William Ruto said that the project will be a major boost in enhancing efficiency at the Port of Mombasa for further improving the transport connectivity in the region.
Capt. Ruto mentioned that the construction of the expressway expected to last 3-4 years is the largest toll road project in Africa and is estimated to cost USD 3.6 billion. He added that as a port they cannot wait to see the completion of the mega infrastructure project, which is going to be a game changer to the country. Indeed, Ruto is very excited.
KPA MD made the remarks during an official investment meeting that brought together the delegation from EVERSTRONG Capital Kenya Ltd, as a lead sponsor of the Usahihi Consortium and key stakeholders among the shipping lines, Container freight Station (CFS), and transporters among other logistic partners.
MD Capt. Ruto hailed the initiative, terming it as timely and apt to spur the regional economic developments. Following this, former US ambassador to Kenya – Amb. Kyle McCarter said that the road represents the future of logistics in Kenya. It will unlock new economic opportunities and will help in growing businesses by ensuring faster, more reliable transport across the region.
As per EVERSTRONG Capital Kenya Ltd. the construction of the expressway is expected to create thousands of employment opportunities and will be a beacon of hope, promising to be more than just a road. It is a purpose-built, high-capacity corridor designed to streamline freight transport and transform Kenya into East Africa’s logistics powerhouse.
Although, the introduction of freight lanes, state-of-the-art traffic management and seamless connectivity, transporters will benefit from a faster, safer and more cost-effective way to move goods across the region.
The new corridor will traverse the hinterland parallel to the existing road and is expected to cut the transit times significantly, by reducing the current 10-12 hour drive between Nairobi and Mombasa for 4 to 5 hrs. The reduction will enhance operational efficiency and will also lower fuel consumption by an estimated 30%, as studies have shown that smoother traffic flow has significantly decreased fuel wastage.
The Northern transport corridor has been the lifeline of Kenya’s economy, that carried the bulk of the country’s freight between its capital and the bustling Port of Mombasa. For logistics companies, the viral route has been a constant source of frustration due to persistent congestion, soaring fuel costs, unpredictable transit times and concerns about road safety,
The measures mainly focus on accident prevention and minimizing injuries or fatalities as well as driver security, including police patrols, surveillance cameras, secure parking and emergency response systems.
Further these challenges have made efficient cargo movement difficult. As the upcoming construction of the Usahihi Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, is now looking towards the future with renewed optimism.