Sh455 billion Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway construction set for early 2026 start

Plans for the Sh455 billion Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway are now taking shape, with developers set to begin construction early next year after final fundraising phases.

The project is being driven by Usahihi Expressway Limited, with Everstrong Capital, a US-based investor, leading the sponsorship and fundraising efforts, expected to conclude by December.

Kyle McCarter, chairman of Usahihi Expressway Limited and former United States Ambassador to Kenya, has been at the forefront of pushing the project forward. He explained that the expressway will cover 444 kilometers and take between three and four years to complete.

“We will have five contractors that will be doing the construction of the road all at once so that we can get this done as soon as possible for people to enjoy the road,” McCarter said during a recent meeting with Makueni County officials, according to Business Daily.

A major component of the project is land acquisition, with Sh129 billion earmarked to secure parcels along the route.

The developers have completed the feasibility study, which was submitted to the National Environmental Management Authority earlier this month.

The project now awaits final approval from the Public-Private Partnerships unit at the National Treasury before civil works can officially begin. McCarter assured that the project will not burden Kenyan taxpayers.

“The Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway project will not cost Kenyan taxpayers a cent because it is sponsored by private developers who will operate the road for 30 years to recoup their investment by charging toll fees before handing it over to the Kenyan Government,” he said.

Once completed, the four-lane dual carriageway is expected to reduce the travel time between Mombasa and Nairobi from 10 hours to just four. It will also cut the fuel costs for this journey by 30 per cent.

The expressway will include 12 highway exits connecting it to existing towns and key facilities, eight rest areas, and three wildlife crossings designed to protect animals along the corridor.

However, the ambitious project has drawn concerns from community leaders and environmental advocates who want assurances that the development will benefit locals and protect the environment.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili urged Usahihi Expressway Limited to create jobs and business opportunities for communities along the route.

“We are discouraging communities from selling their parcels of land to speculators. From our discussion with Usahihi Expressway Limited, landowners along the road corridor will have a unique opportunity to invest in the road project for better returns,” said Peter Mumo, Makueni Roads and Transport CEC.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse stressed the importance of ensuring the new expressway does not harm the existing economic corridor that runs alongside the current Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Environmental conservation champion Halinishi Yusuf also warned of the ecological risks involved in such a large infrastructure project.

Other Topics To Read

• National
• Everstrong Capital
• Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway
• Usahihi Expressway
• Mombasa-Nairobi Highway
• Sh455 billion Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway construction set for early 2026 start
• Headlines

She highlighted the need for careful management of sand extraction, noting that “the proposed Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway project will require at least 122,222 truckloads of sand.

“We must plan ahead so that we do not experience the same sand problems which we experienced during the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway project, which led to the degradation of rivers and devastation of local communities.”

Everstrong Capital has also begun engaging counties that will benefit from the road, with Makueni County chosen as the first stop because it has the longest stretch of the expressway.

This stakeholder engagement tour aims to address concerns and keep local leaders informed of the project’s progress.

The Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway is set to be one of the biggest toll roads in Africa, and its successful completion could greatly enhance Kenya’s transport infrastructure, boost local economies, and improve connectivity across the region.