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highways,” says Eng. Julia W. Ondeyo, a Deputy Director Roads at the Kenya National Highways Authority, which is overseeing the project and is the contracting authority on behalf of the Kenyan government.
Eng. Julia describes the expressway as an essential infrastructure project that will spur modernisation.
The partially elevated highway was proposed about 10 years ago, but delays meant it was only launched in October 2020 by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Yet the speed of its construction is leaving many Nairobians surprised. It already looks like a giant gash through the city and the constant hum of construction noise, lorries whipping up dust and beeping car horns all add to the confusion.
Being a PPP project also means the Kenyan government does not bear the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) costs, which stand at USD599 million (about Ksh65 billion). The government is only responsible for land compensation (Ksh10 billion) to facilitate and secure the right of way for the project, and Ksh4.5 billion for relocation of utilities.
Despite these costs, however, Eng. Julia is confident that the expressway has a positive value for money as the costs of undertaking such a huge project under normal procurement would be higher than through the PPP model adopted.
“In PPP projects, the government engages the private sector in the development of infrastructural projects using private equity. Thus, there is no debt financing and the private party bears the design and construction risks, thereby reducing the exposure of the Government of Kenya,” she says.
“Private parties also bring expertise, consistency and timely project delivery for the benefit of the public, which spills over to operations and maintenance project phases in
build – operate – transfer models.” When finally completed by December this year, according to the plan, the project is expected to improve travel time for both commuters using the Expressway and the existing Mombasa Road, as at least 30 per cent of traffic is projected
to be diverted to the Expressway. This means the currently common traffic snarl-ups will be a thing of the
past.
With reduced traffic jams, the
project will reduce the net emissions from vehicles and promote economic growth. Presently, millions of shillings are lost in reduced productive hours spent in clogged traffic along the
In PPP projects, the government engages
the private sector in
the development of infrastructural projects using private equity. Thus, there is no debt financing and the private party bears the design and construction risks, thereby reducing the exposure of the Government of Kenya.
highway.
Besides creating jobs for Kenyans
directly and indirectly through the supply chain, the expressway will also support the growth of suburbs such as Syokimau, Mlolongo and Athi River due to enhanced connectivity.
However, all these benefits do not come without challenges. One of the key challenges is that the existing A8 road (Mombasa Road) is currently operating beyond its capacity, especially during peak hours.
“Properties abutting the existing A8 road are also heavily built up, thereby increasing land acquisition costs significantly,” says Eng. Julia.
This is a critical lesson for engineers and those involved in the planning for such projects to put enough controls to eliminate the need for several accesses that decrease the service levels of highways for future projects.
In her parting shot, Eng. Julia builds a case for PPP projects, saying they are ideal in addressing the infrastructure deficit and overcome the challenge of mounting debt that has progressively posed a burden to the country.
“The annual fiscal requirement for infrastructural projects in Kenya exceeds the financial capability of the country, leaving a significant gap in funding,” she says.
Progress on the Nairobi Expressway Road as seen from the Airtel-Ole Sereni Roundabout on April 20, 2021.
Engineering in Kenya Magazine Issue 002
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