KENHA Set Build Six-Lane Longest Expressway After Ruto Secured Ksh477B Funding

KENHA Set Build Six-Lane Longest Expressway After Ruto Secured Ksh477B Funding

Kenya signed a Ksh477 billion ($3.6 billion) agreement with the US government on Thursday to allow the completion of Africa’s largest toll road, the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway. 

According to reports, the Kenya National Highways Authority reached an agreement with Everstrong Capital LLC for $3.6 billion.

The aforementioned transaction is one of many investments scheduled to be revealed during the meeting between US President Joe Biden and President William Ruto at the White House. 

The road, which will be named Usahihi, is projected to feature four to six lanes and will be built over the next three to four years. 

“Usahihi will pay for itself, not burdening the Government of Kenya. It is structured as a Public Private Partnership with revenue coming from road users. Usahihi will organize finance, construction, tolling, operation, and maintenance of the expressway under a 30-year concession with construction lasting 3-4 years,” read the press release announcing the deal.

The toll-road arrangement includes a 440-kilometer (273-mile) link between the capital, Nairobi, and the port city of Mombasa.

Usahihi is anticipated to cut the trip time from Kenya’s capital to the coastal city to 4.5 hours, down from about 10 and a half.

“The U.S. Embassy welcomes the signing of a project development agreement, which marks a significant step forward in the construction of a new Nairobi-Mombasa highway,” said Meg Whitman, United States Ambassador to Kenya.

Everstrong Capital, the business in charge of the expressway’s development, has operations in both the United States and Kenya.

Additionally, the corporation established the Everstrong Kenya Infrastructure Fund (EKIF), which is dedicated to financing projects in energy, transportation, communication, and social infrastructure in East Africa.

This includes its investment in Gulf Power’s Athi River Power project and its founding sponsorship of Milele Energy, an independent power producer owning a 25 percent stake in the Lake Turkana Wind Project.

“More than just a road, the Usahihi Expressway sets a standard for transparent, sustainable, and community-centered development, fostering economic growth and environmental protection, serving as a global inspiration for ethical development.” KenHa’s part statement read

Earlier, KeNHA detailed that the first phase of the project, which will cost Ksh10 million, will begin during the 2026-2027 Financial Year.

The second phase of the project would cost Ksh15 billion in the next fiscal year.

KENHA Set Build Six-Lane Longest Expressway After Ruto Secured Ksh477B Funding