Mau Summit area, where the 180-kilometer road from Nairobi will end. [Photo/SkyscaperCity]
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government plans to award a tender for the construction of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road, which is expected to spur economic growth, ease congestion, and reduce road carnage on the road.Construction works on the road are set to begin later this year and the Sh150 billion mega project will be completed in 2020.Peter Munindia, the Kenya National Highways Authority Director-General, confirmed that the tender would be awarded in four months’ time.The ambitious project will culminate in a four-lane dual carriageway starting from Rironi, all the way to Mau Summit.Ten firms had expressed interest in taking up the project but the list has been whittled down to three.Only the best company with the greatest record, amongst the three, of road construction will be awarded the tender which is set to transform lives and ease traffic.The multi-billion dollar project is consistent with the government's transformation agenda as articulated in the Jubilee manifesto, which entails ushering Kenya's infrastructure into the modern age.When completed, the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road will unlock a wide array of opportunities for the country.Employment opportunities will be created for the Kenyan youth and help in improving their lives.It will also attract foreign investment as one of the biggest incentives for investment is an infrastructural development that will enable investors to transport goods and access raw materials with ease.The residents of Nakuru have hailed the project, saying that it will help reduce accidents that have been all too common on the Nairobi -Nakuru highway.''We are so happy that finally, we will have a dual carriageway. We want it finished quickly so that we can begin to benefit,'' Jamleck Ndungu said.Shortlisted firms will know their fate in May when the award of the 180-kilometer road will be done.
Also part of the initiative to improve the road network and improve transport project is the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, which will serve as a connection between the island and the mainland. The Jubilee administration announced the game-changing project last year.Residents of the coastal city, thanks to the road, will have several options by which to commute other than the ferry which suffers from congestion.Mombasa County residents have welcomed the project.''The ferries are usually congested. This project will help us deal with that issue and we welcome it with open arms,'' Said Mwachomba said.