Infrastructure
James Gichuru Road Expansion Set for Jan 2023 Completion
The project has a contract sum of $163m (Sh18.7 billion).
The much-delayed upgrade of road A104 from James Gichuru junction to Rironi is set to be completed in Jan 2023, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has said.
James Gichuru Rironi Road expansion, which kicked off in Aug 2017, was scheduled for completion in August 2020 at $163 million (Sh18.7 billion).
However, this did not happen due to additional work that included the construction of a full interchange at Gitaru to allow seamless traffic flow between the roads.
Land acquisition
The project also suffered delays due to land acquisition issues that have since been resolved, with plans underway to compensate all the affected persons.
“The James Gichuru-Rironi Project will be a major game-changer for urban and transit traffic in Nairobi and Kiambu counties after its projected completion in January 2023,” KeNHA director general Kung’u Ndung’u said in an interview.
China Wu Yi is the contractor of James Gichuru Road/ Waiyaki Way Jn – Rironi, a project that includes 26km of the main road and 17.5km of collector roads.
RELATED: Work on Nairobi Expressway Nears Completion
James Gichuru-Rironi road expansion project is fully funded by the Government of Kenya following the 2019 withdrawal of the World Bank due to project delays.
Project cost
Under the initial funding terms, the World Bank was to offer 80% of the Sh18.7 billion with Kenya expected to meet 20% of the project cost.
The project stalled due to the need for additional money to compensate investors ceding land for the road – causing the World Bank to pull out of the venture.
Under its funding policy, the World Bank does not provide loans for compensation or land acquisition where it finances a project.
Meanwhile, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is currently putting the final touches on the 27.1-km Nairobi Expressway in readiness for a scheduled test run that will pave the way for the official opening of the road.
CRBC, which is building the Sh88 billion highway as a concessionaire, is expected to recoup its investment from toll fees paid by motorists using the expressway.
There will be 10 tolling stations along the route.
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