A groundbreaking infrastructure project is set to redefine road transport in Kenya, as President William Ruto announced the construction of a new 440-kilometer Nairobi-Mombasa expressway. This ambitious Sh472.9 billion initiative, forged under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the American firm Everstrong Capital LLC, is anticipated to be completed by 2028. The envisioned expressway, a four to six-lane dual carriageway, promises to revolutionize the commuting experience between Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and the coastal city of Mombasa. The project, which has been on the drawing board for years, represents a significant milestone in Kenya’s infrastructural development. On Thursday, the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) and Everstrong Capital LLC formalized the agreement, marking one of President Ruto’s key achievements during his visit to the United States. The expressway is expected to attract investments totaling $3.6 billion (Sh478 billion) from international investors, development agencies, pension funds, and a significant number of Kenyan private investors. “This project is a testament to Kenya’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing economic growth,” stated an Everstrong spokesperson. “It will offer Kenyans a unique opportunity to compare U.S. construction technology with that of China, which has previously dominated major infrastructure projects in the country, such as the Thika Superhighway and the Nairobi Expressway.” The expressway’s impact on travel between Nairobi and Mombasa is poised to be transformative. Currently, the journey takes approximately 11 hours, but the new road is expected to reduce this to just four to five hours. This improvement will not only ease the notorious traffic jams along the route but also significantly enhance the efficiency of road transport, benefiting both individuals and businesses. Beyond improving travel times, the project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits. It is estimated that the construction phase will create 500 jobs and stimulate local enterprises supplying building materials. Once operational, the toll road will dwarf both the Thika Superhighway and the 27-kilometer Nairobi Expressway in terms of investment and scale. To recoup its investment, Everstrong will collect toll charges for 30 years. These charges will vary based on the type of vehicle and the entry and exit points used. However, certain essential services, including ambulances, police vehicles, military personnel, and fire trucks, will be exempt from toll fees. The new expressway will feature an extensive network of toll points, surpassing the 27 currently found on the Nairobi Expressway. Drivers will have the option to pay tolls using cash, electronic toll collection, or manual toll collection. Cash users will not be required to register in advance, simplifying the process for occasional travelers. This is not the first attempt to construct an expressway between Nairobi and Mombasa. In 2018, the government proposed a Sh300 billion project, but it failed to materialize due to disagreements with Betchel, the company initially slated to undertake the project. The government wanted Betchel to fund the construction and recover costs afterward, but the company declined. Now, with the new expressway on the horizon, Kenya is set to embark on a project that will not only enhance road transport but also serve as a symbol of the nation’s growing infrastructure ambitions. The Nairobi-Mombasa expressway is expected to become a cornerstone of Kenya’s transportation network, heralding a new era of connectivity and economic growth. CAPTION: The envisioned expressway, a four to six-lane dual carriageway, promises to revolutionize the commuting experience between Kenya’s capital, Nairobi