NAIROBI, Kenya – Mombasa Road is set for a major facelift beginning this month, with President William Ruto announcing a comprehensive reconstruction and beautification programme along the stretch from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to ABC.
The works, he said, will focus on improving safety, easing traffic flow and restoring the visual appeal of one of the country’s most heavily used highways.
Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, President Ruto acknowledged the persistent challenges motorists have faced on the lower deck of the Mombasa Road Expressway, which deteriorated during the construction of the elevated highway.
“Kwa sababu barabara ya Expressway imekamilika na wananchi wanatumia pale juu, barabara ya chini iko na matatizo,” Ruto said. “Ndiyo sababu kuanzia hii Disemba mkienda Krismasi tutajenga upya na tuifanyie beautification ndiyo Nairobi ionekane kama city ya taifa letu.”
Construction of the Expressway began in 2019, with the elevated section opening for public use on a trial basis before its full commissioning in late 2023.
After its opening, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) began recarpeting and repairing the lower road to address cracks, uneven surfaces and drainage issues caused during the construction period.
The President also turned his attention to Nairobi’s outskirts, acknowledging long-standing frustrations faced by residents commuting through Ongata Rongai and Ngong — two of the busiest routes into the city, notorious for gridlocked traffic during peak hours.
Ruto announced that both roads will be upgraded to dual carriageways starting next year.
The Rongai stretch will run from the Bomas of Kenya to Kiserian, while the Ngong section will cover Bomas to Karen, through Bulbul, before extending to Kiserian.
“I would like to announce that starting next year, we will make the road a dual carriageway, so that residents there can travel more easily,” he said.
The Bomas-Ongata Rongai-Kiserian corridor serves thousands of daily commuters from fast-growing suburbs, where congestion is often worsened by the narrow single-carriageway layout. The planned expansion is expected to ease pressure, reduce travel time and improve road safety.
Ghana’s President John Mahama was among the invited dignitaries attending this year’s celebrations, which were held under the theme Tourism.
