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Status of Kenya’s Sh300bn Road Construction Projects

The government is building 4,120km of roads countrywide.

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Workers at a road construction site in Nairobi.
Workers at a road construction site in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE

In recent years, the Kenyan government has continually invested in the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the country in a bid to spur economic development.

Through the R2000 programme, the government is building 4,120 kilometres of roads countrywide, of which an estimated 1,413 kilometres were completed by the end of 2019.

The cost of roads under construction in Kenya is estimated at Sh313.4 billion.

The R2000 programme is a strategy for road development that ensures maximum utilisation of local resources where such resources are technically and economically feasible.

The programme is meant to create gainful employment opportunities for Kenyans while supporting local industry and more importantly, refining the country’s road network.

Ongoing Road Construction Projects

Some of the major ongoing road construction projects in Kenya include the Nairobi Expressway (27km) at a cost of Sh62bn; the Kibwezi-Kitui-Migwani Road (192km) for Sh18.4bn; James Gichuru-Rironi Road (25km) at Sh16.4bn; and Outering Road (13km) at Sh11.7bn.

Also underway is Garsen-Witu-Lamu Road (135km) at Sh10.9bn; Nuno-Modogashe Road (135km) at Sh6.1bn; and Eldoret Town Bypass (32km) at Sh5.1bn; Chiakariga-Meru Road (55km) at Sh4.7bn; Kitale-Endebess-Suam Road (45km) at Sh4.5bn; and Ruiru-Githunguri-Uplands (47km) at Sh4.0bn.

Others are Waiyaki Way-Redhil Link Road (5.8km) at Sh3.7bn; Meru Bypass Roads (21km) at Sh3.0bn; Posta (Naibor)-Kisima-Maralal (32.5km) at Sh2.7bn; Nairobi Western Bypass (19km) at Sh2.7bn; Nyaru-Iten (32km) at Sh2.4bn; Link Road to New Lamu Port (10km) at Sh2.3bn; Ngong Road Phase II (3.4km) at Sh2.3bn.

Construction is also ongoing for Upper Hill Roads Phase II (6.5km) at Sh2.3bn; Narok-Sekenani (84km) at Sh2.2bn; Ngong Road-Kibera-Kung’u Karumba-Langata Road (4.2km) at Sh2.1bn; Ngong Road (Dagoretti Corner-Karen Roundabout – 9.8km) at Sh1.9bn; Mteza-Kibundani (Dongo Kundu – 6.9km) at Sh1.9bn; and Thika Bypass (10km) at Sh1.9bn.

Others are Mlolongo-Kware-Katani Link Roads Phase II (7.8km) at Sh1.6bn;  Upper Hill-Mbangathi Link Road (11km) at Sh1.2bn; Ugunja-Nyadorera-Ruambwa (13km) at Sh1.2bn; Mau Narok-Kisiriri (32km) at Sh1.2bn; Kangundo Road-Greater Eastern Bypass Link Road (10km) at Sh1.2bn; and Eastlands Roads (Phase II -10km) at Sh1.1bn.

New road projects valued at less than Sh1 billion each include Busia-Malaba (28km) at Sh961m; Kiogoro-Gesure-Itibo-Masongo Roads (14km) at Sh860m; Old Nairobi Road and Bishop Muge Roads in Uasin Gishu County (7.7km) at Sh747m; Eastleigh roads phase II (3km) at Sh677m; Mandera town roads (10km) at Sh621m; Nyahururu Bypass (8km) at Sh562m; and Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Eastleigh Estate access roads (2.6km) at Sh553m.

Others are Lenana-Muchugia-Dagoretti Market Link Road (7km) at Sh513m; Kisii Bypass (Phase 1 – 5.2km) at Sh448m; Kericho Bypass (Phase 1 – 5km) at Sh446m; Syokimau-Katani Phase II (3.5km) at Sh425m; Flyover across Northern Bypass to Kahawa West (2.7km) at Sh403m; Access to Embakasi Industrial Park (2.16km) at Sh382km; Kahawa Sukari access roads (6.1km) at Sh360m; and Access to Embakasi Park (Phase II – 2.4km) at Sh143m.

Road Dualling Projects

Dualling projects include Mombasa-Mariakani Road (Lot 1: Msa-Kwa Jomvu – 40km) at Sh6bn; Dualling of Athi River-Machakos Turnoff (20km) at Sh5.3bn; Kisumu Boys-Mamboleo (4.5km) at Sh2.6bn; Changamwe-Magongo-Kwa Jomvu Road (4km) at Sh2.4bn.

Also underway is the rehabilitation of Isebania-Kisii Road (184km) for Sh8.6bn as well as the upgrade of Kisii-Ahero Road (192km) for Sh9.5bn.

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Albert Andeso holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nairobi. He has extensive experience in construction and has been involved in many roads, bridges, and buildings projects.