The government plans to commence construction of the Nairobi-Thika Expressway within the next two months, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announcing that President William Ruto is expected to lead the groundbreaking ceremony.
Speaking in Kiambu County on Wednesday, October 28, Kindiki said preparations for the project were nearing completion, adding that the proposed road would offer motorists an alternative route between Thika and Nairobi.
“Between one and two months, the President will come here for the groundbreaking of the road’s construction. We want to construct an expressway that links Thika town to Nairobi at Museum Hill,” Kindiki stated.
The proposed 60-kilometre expressway is expected to ease traffic congestion along the busy Nairobi-Thika corridor, which connects Nairobi to rapidly growing urban centres, including Thika, Ruiru and Juja.
Kindiki explained that the elevated highway would allow motorists to travel between the two towns while others continue using the existing Thika Superhighway, improving traffic movement along the route.
“The same way we have the Nairobi Expressway that begins from JKIA and terminates at James Gichuru in Westlands, we are going to connect Thika town with Nairobi at Museum Hill using an elevated expressway,” he said.
The Deputy President observed that the existing Thika Superhighway, built during the administration of former President Mwai Kibaki, had not completely resolved traffic congestion due to the increasing number of vehicles using the road.
“Former President Mwai Kibaki built the Thika Superhighway, but people still experience traffic jams. We have busy towns such as Thika, Ruiru, and Juja,” Kindiki added.
The announcement comes approximately a month after the government engaged experts to undertake a feasibility study for the proposed expressway to determine its technical and financial viability.
The assessment is expected to examine potential routes, engineering requirements, projected traffic volumes, construction costs, environmental and social implications, as well as land acquisition requirements.
Preliminary estimates have placed the project's cost at between Ksh150 billion and Ksh200 billion. The government is expected to explore a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to finance the construction.
Kindiki Issues Update on Kiambu Road Expansion
During his visit to Kiambu County, Kindiki also announced progress on the planned expansion of the Muthaiga-Kiambu road, revealing that the construction contract had been signed and the contractor was expected to begin work.
The road, which stretches from Muthaiga Police Station to Ndumberi in Kiambu County, is set to be upgraded from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway.
“We are also doing the Muthaiga-Kiambu road, from Muthaiga Police Station to Ndumberi in Kiambu County. It is being constructed from a single lane to a dual carriageway,” he said.
According to the Deputy President, the expansion is intended to ease persistent traffic congestion affecting motorists travelling between Kiambu town and Nairobi.
The project is expected to improve traffic flow, particularly during peak hours when commuters entering and leaving the capital frequently encounter delays.
