Nairobi Expressway Launched After Serving 45,000 Vehicles Daily During 2-Month Trial

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 31- President Uhuru Kenyatta has officially commissioned the 27 km Nairobi Expressway which has been in use on a trial basis since 15th May.

The 599 million USD elevated dual carriageway was developed on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and stretches from Mlolongo through Uhuru Highway to James Gichuru Road junction in Westlands.

At its peak, the Nairobi Expressway, the largest Public Private Partnership road project in Africa, serves 45,000 vehicles daily and has reduced travel time on the stretch to about 20 minutes from two hours previously.

The President said the road has proved its worth by reducing traffic congestion and enhancing mobility during the trial period by motorists.

“We dreamt for an end of the traffic gridlock in Nairobi that cost the nation about 5 million in traffic and fuel and the Nairobi Expressway has helped in doing just that,” he said.

“We have exceeded the number of vehicles that were expected on the Nairobi Expressway during the trial period, the returns may be achieved much sooner than projected.”

President Kenyatta stated that “Infrastructure is our greatest national asset and it will open up more opportunities for Kenya and the region at large.”

“The Nairobi Expressway is a fundamental overhaul of how we finance public projects being the first PPP model and the government will use it as a pivot to bridge infrastructure deficit.”