President William Ruto has announced that the government will soon unveil the tendering process for the long-awaited Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway, marking a major step toward the construction of one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors.
The announcement was made during the Kenya International Investment Conference held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Key Project Details
The proposed 459-kilometre highway will run from Mlolongo in Machakos County to Bonje in Mombasa County, according to feasibility studies by the Kenya National Highways Authority.
The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Nairobi and Mombasa, easing the movement of goods and passengers, especially to and from the country’s main port.
President Ruto emphasized that the expressway is part of his administration’s broader plan to transform Kenya into an industrialized economy through modern infrastructure.
Part of a Wider Infrastructure Plan
The Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway is one of several flagship projects under the government’s infrastructure agenda. Others include the Rironi–Mau Summit Expressway and the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway extension.
Ruto also revealed plans to double Kenya’s paved road network within the next seven years, signaling an ambitious push to upgrade the country’s transport systems.
Progress and PPP Model
Despite the announcement, the project is still at the feasibility stage, more than two years after its initial approval under a privately initiated proposal framework.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir recently confirmed that progress is being made, with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) assessment nearing completion.
He noted that detailed evaluations on cost, value for money, and investor capacity are currently ongoing.
Expected Impact
Once completed, the Usahihi Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway is expected to reduce travel time from over ten hours to about five hours.
The project will also help ease congestion along the existing A8 highway while introducing modern, climate-resilient infrastructure.
Conclusion
The planned expressway represents a significant milestone in Kenya’s infrastructure development, with the government positioning it as a key driver of economic growth, trade efficiency, and regional connectivity.
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