State plans to spend Sh2 trillion on road network

The government plans to invest over Sh2 trillion in road construction over the next 15 years to enhance trade in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Roads permanent secretary Michael Kamau, Kenya Engineers Registration Board chief executive, Mr Gilbert Arasa said that the ministry has already completed the National Road Sector Investment Plan expected to improve the country’s business environment for both domestic and foreign investors.

“Poor roads cannot support the kind of economic growth we are looking towards as a country. We need to have a massive infrastructural upgrade to get to the economic status envisaged in the country’s Vision 2030,” said Mr Arasa.

The plan is divided into three phases of five years each with the first phase ending in 2015. According to Mr Arasa, about Sh605 billion will be spent on roads improvement by the end of 2015.

The first priority will go to the roads in Nairobi with expansion of some of the major highways and construction of bypasses under way.

Among the roads to be improved in Nairobi is the connection between Adams Arcade and Ngong town via Bomas of Kenya which will be turned into a dual carriage.

Negotiations are ongoing with the Exim bank of China to fund the road’s construction which set to begin in January next year.

Commuters living in Nairobi’s East lands will also have a piece of the cake with the construction of an interchange at the Doonholm roundabout. Construction of the interchange is set to begin next year doing away with the current roundabout notorious with traffic jam in outering road. 

“The 15-year-plan will be funded by a combination of the Kenyan government and international development partners,” said Mr Arasa.

Infrastructure received one of the biggest national budgetary allocations in the current financial year to the tune of Sh268.1 billion for various projects including roads, energy, rail, and ports development.

The overall budget for the Ministry of Roads increased to Sh123.6 billion from Sh104.3 billion allocated the previous year.