Motorists using the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway are set to benefit from reduced congestion after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) opened the 11.3-kilometre Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu Interchange to traffic following years of delays.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

KeNHA, in a statement obtained by Kenyans.co.ke , said the project has attained a 99.4 per cent completion rate, with only minor outstanding works remaining before its full completion.

The authority noted that motorists can now begin using the interchange, which forms a key section of the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway and serves as a critical gateway for cargo moving to and from the Port of Mombasa.

“The 11.3-kilometre Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu Interchange has officially been opened to traffic, marking a major milestone in the project’s implementation,” KeNHA said.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to KeNHA, the project had previously experienced significant delays due to compensation challenges affecting persons impacted by the road expansion.

However, the authority said the outstanding issues were eventually resolved, allowing construction works to progress and paving the way for the opening of the road to traffic.

The opening comes nearly a year after KeNHA reported that the first phase of the larger Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani highway project had reached more than 95 per cent completion.

At the time, KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli revealed that the government had commenced compensation payments to affected landowners after years of delays that had stalled implementation of the project.

The government also released additional funds through the National Land Commission to facilitate compensation and ensure contractors resumed work on the highway.

The road project, which began in 2023, is being financed by the European Investment Bank, the German Development Bank and the European Union at a cost of about Ksh19 billion.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke