Government Says Uhuru Park Will Not Be Destroyed In The Nairobi Express Way Construction

The Nairobi Expressway will be constructed at a cost of USD 599 million and will be fully funded by the China Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC). It starts at Mlolongo and heads to JKIA all the way to James Gichuru. According to statement by the government spokesman Oguna giving an update on the project.

Oguna responding time fierce criticism on the impending construction, defended it claiming that that about 3,000 people will be employed during construction and 500 during the operation.

“The Government has made deliberate efforts to minimise land acquisition for the project. The preliminary land-take is approximately 35 acres, including 60 percent of public land and 40 percent of private property.” Said Mr. Oguna.

Nairobi Express Way is expected to significantly decongest traffic in the Capital City and save the country millions of shillings per year – according to Institute of Economic Affairs and World Bank, Kenya loses over Shillings 18 billion annually.

Nairobi Express Way @PDUDelivery @SpokespersonGoK @StateHouseKenya pic.twitter.com/E8M3bTfbf5

— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) October 24, 2019

Perhaps the biggest concern has been the destruction of monumental Uhuru Park. According to KENHA, only a small portion of the land will be yanked from the park.

The portion being hived from Uhuru park is an area of 1.3 acres along Uhuru Highway pic.twitter.com/OPOwOqpe7w

— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) October 24, 2019

Benefits of the NE way, seamless flow of traffic, enhanced international trade along the Nothern corridor, creation of jobs, boost of local manufactures, ease of access to JKIA, less travel time. The NE way is a Public private Partnership project that will be tolled at a cost of shs11.24 per km.