Infrastructure

Kwa Jomvu–Mariakani Road Upgrade Gets Underway

The project will be completed at a cost of Sh13.6 billion.

Updated on

March 5, 2025

Heavy machinery at a construction site. PHOTO | FILE

The long-awaited upgrade of the Kwa Jomvu–Mariakani road into a four- and six-lane dual carriageway is finally underway after securing Sh13.6 billion from financiers.

The project, backed by European financiers, is the second phase of the Mombasa-Mariakani (A109) Road Project, involving the dualling of the 41 km road between the two locations.

Phase one of the project—Mombasa–Kwa Jomvu—nicknamed the Mombasa Jomvu Superhighway by residents of Kwa Jomvu, spanning 12 km, was completed in 2022 by the Third Engineering Bureau of China City Construction Group Co. Ltd at a cost of Sh6.5 billion.

The Kwa Jomvu–Mariakani road is part of the Northern Corridor modernisation initiative, which includes the Mombasa–Kilifi Road, Kitale–Morpus Road, and the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero highway.

The project is being financed under the Global Gateway EU–Africa Strategy, with the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) and German Development Bank (KfW) providing concessional loans of Sh13.6 billion (€100 million).

The European Union (EU) is providing a Sh2.7 billion (€20 million) grant, with the Kenyan government contributing a similar amount.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Mariakani on Saturday, President William Ruto thanked European financiers for their role in the development of transport infrastructure in the country.

“I would like to thank our Team Europe partners for their support in developing and expanding this road infrastructure, which will ease the movement of goods to and from the port,” Ruto said.

Jozef Sikela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, described the project as quality infrastructure that will drive Kenya’s economic growth and enhance trade in East Africa.

“This Global Gateway project is a great example of quality infrastructure made possible by the cooperation between the Kenyan government and the European Union,” he said.

Kristina Laarmann, Director of KfW in Nairobi, said that beyond improving traffic flow and reducing transport costs, the project will create jobs both during and after construction.

“This project will not only create jobs during the construction phase; it will also stimulate job opportunities and local businesses after completion,” Laarmann said.