Economy

Uhuru flags off dualling of Sh6bn Mombasa-Mariakani road

Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta flags off machinery for the dualling of the Mombasa-Mariakani road in Changamwe, Mombasa County. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NMG

President Uhuru Kenyatta has on Wednesday commissioned dualling of the congested Mombasa-Mariakani highway in Mombasa County.

The Sh6.1 billion infrastructure project is expected to resolve perennial traffic jams between Kibarani and Jomvu.

According to the administration, the move caps its total investment in infrastructure in the devolved unit at Sh60 billion.

Dualling of the six-lane highway will start with the construction of the 11.3-kilometre Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu section at a cost of Sh6.1 billion.

“All this investment in infrastructure, we are making here and across the country, is meant to stimulate economic growth that will create the much needed jobs for our young people,” Mr Kenyatta said.

Chinese contractor

The President, who was accompanied by his Deputy William Ruto, directed Transport Secretary James Macharia and the Chinese contractor to ensure the project employs local youth.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) awarded the contract to Third China Engineering Company.

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The second section of the dualling of the major highway, from Kwa Jomvu to Mariakani, will also be done concurrently at a cost of Sh6 billion.

Other ongoing road projects in the county include the Sh2.7 billion Port Reitz/Moi International Airport access road that will provide a key link to the newly constructed second container terminal.

Construction of the Mombasa Southern Bypass (Dongo Kundu – Mwache road) is also underway at a cost of Sh12.5 billion.

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