The Jubilee Government, under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta has put the necessary machinery in motion for an impressive portfolio of infrastructure projects throughout the country aimed at improving the overall quality of the road network in the region. Kenya’s second largest city, Mombasa which is host to the country’s leading seaport, occupies a special place in the national economy is among the regions that will get a facelift with good road networks as it plays the critical role of being the gateway, not just to Kenya but to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, parts of northern Tanzania and eastern DR Congo. A huge proportion of imports and the exports in the region transit through the Port of Mombasa, making it a key player in the overall performance of the regional economies.

The regional economies will only be as efficient as the port. Increasingly, the city is also on ascendancy as a tourist hub. A large number of tourists visit the island and the attractions around it. Only recently, the sandy beaches of Diani in Mombasa’s South Coast were adjudged the best in the world. The hinterland is equally rich in diverse flora and fauna and some of the world’s most famous conservation areas. Mombasa has by this development evolved into a tourism hub, with most visitors including the Kenyan coast as part of their itineraries. Mombasa has witnessed this trend with the many cruise ships and air charters that have played host to that the city recently. For Mombasa, and indeed the Coastal region to continue effectively and efficiently discharge these critical roles, they must have a transport system that works, in tandem with the rest of the country.

The Mombasa Port Area Development Project (MPARD) is the project, which is underway, that will substantively ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity within the region. The first phase will link Miritini to the Kipevu Container Terminal through a dual carriageway, with two interchanges and an access road to the Moi International Airport and are due for completion by August, 2017. The second phase, Mwache to Dongo Kundu, is equally critical with its main feature being the proposed 660 metre Mwache Span Bridge. Significantly, the last phase (Dongo Kundu to Kibundani) links up with the Likoni-Ukunda-Lunga Lunga Road at Kibundani. The funding of these two last phases is still under discussion between the Japanese and Kenyan Governments.
Another important project which was launched last month by the President is from Moi International Airport to Changamwe roundabout.

This project has benefited from funding from Trade Mark East Africa and the Government of Kenya and is due for completion in July, 2018. The importance of these roads is that they will ease the pressure on the Likoni Ferry. For instance, tourists or businesses travellers who land at the airport and are destined for the South Coast, Kwale County, do not have to enter the city and experience the currently overstretched ferry service. Residents will find this road a more efficient connection than the ferry. Significantly, they will also ease the evacuation of goods from and into the Port of Mombasa. The proposed Northern Bypass Road is at design stage, while the Likoni Bridge, which will eventually replace the existing ferry service, is at feasibility study stage and will be implemented through public private partnership (PPP) model.

Another important project in the region is the rehabilitation of the Bachuma Gate-Maji ya Chumvi section of the Nairobi-Mombasa road, which is ongoing, is expected to be complete by November this year. It will go a long way in improving road transport, especially of goods to and from the hinterland, along this stretch, which passes through the Taru area, within the Tsavo ecosystem. Also vital to the overall economic development in the Coastal region is the re-construction of the Voi-Mwatate Road, incorporating the Voi Loop Road and access to the university. Located in Taita Taveta County, the road is critical for local economic activity. The contractor has already started work and the road is expected to be completed within one year. The other key road project is the ongoing construction of the Kaloleni-Mabueni Road which is located in Kilifi County.

This project will serve as a greater Northern Bypass to the Kilifi- Malindi road and is expected to be completed by August, 2016. The procurement process for dualling of Mombasa- Mariakani has already started. It has benefited from funding by the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank and Government of Kenya. Another planned project which will open up Malindi area is the Malindi- Salagate 100 km road project, also under procurement stage and is expected to start early March,2016. With these key projects and the ongoing road maintenance works, the Coastal region is well on its way to stimulating its role as an efficient trade and tourism hub for Kenya and the region within the next two years.

Source: Footprint to Africa

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.