Plans to expand Kiambu Road into a dual carriageway have been completed, the Ministry of Roads and Transport has announced.
Principal Secretaries Joseph Mbugua (Roads) and Mohamed A. Daghar (Transport) said they have written to National Treasury requesting for consideration and allocation of funds to the project.
The two made the revelation when they appeared before National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on Thursday.
The announcement offers relief to motorists and commuters who have for years had to grapple with heavy traffic jams since the road is a critical artery feeding traffic in and out of Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
The ministry said Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has already entered into an MOU with Sinohydro Corporation Limited, China for the execution of dualing of Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi project.
The project is estimated to cost US$286 million (about Sh35 billion) which incorporates US$55.26 million (Sh7 billion) for land acquisition and relocation services.
Mbugua told the committee the project will be funded by the government in partnership with the government of China through Exim Bank.
“Feasibility studies, preliminary engineering designs and environmental impact assessment have been completed and submitted to the National Treasury which has granted KURA the approval to proceed with the project preparation within the existing legal and regulatory framework,” he said.
“The timelines on implementation of the plans will be determined once the requisite legal regulatory and funding approval clearances are completed.”
The dual carriageway will snake through Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi, covering a distance of 25 kilometres.
The road commences at Pangani and Muthaiga interchanges along Thika Road and proceeds through Kiambu town ending at Ndumberi.