Wamuzi News Ke
Kenya’s long-promised Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway—officially dubbed the Usahihi Expressway—is now facing serious rejection, legal backlash, and financing upheaval, threatening to derail one of East Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
Designed as a high-capacity toll motorway spanning approximately 440 kilometres and backed by U.S.-based Everstrong Capital via a $3.6 billion public‑private partnership (PPP), the project appeared poised for launch. Yet as details emerge, the road to Mombasa is being blocked before any truly groundbreaking shovel hits the ground.
Financing Breakdown and Contractor Disputes
Originally signed in May 2024, the Expressway deal envisioned financing through a PPP structure: developers would recover their costs using tolls over a 30-year concession. However, major rifts have surfaced over how funds are raised. American firm Bechtel initially declined the model, warning it would inflate costs to up to $15 billion—five times the original estimate—and insisted on upfront state payment instead. The government refused, prompting Bechtel’s exit in 2022.
In 2025, Everstrong Capital replaced Bechtel and pledged to mobilize roughly $1 billion from local investors, including pension funds, with the balance coming from foreign development institutions. Yet analysts question whether such capital will materialize fully—and whether toll revenues will justify debt servicing.
Public Outcry: Toll Fees Deemed Unaffordable
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has sharply criticized the proposed toll structure, branding it “deceptive and immoral.” Under the current plan, road users would pay between Ksh 12 and Ksh 13 per kilometre, translating to nearly Ksh 5,000 per trip—costs that are likely to be passed on to consumers through elevated transport and logistics rates.
MAK further alleges the project was negotiated without proper public engagement, accusing the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) of sidelining citizens in favor of foreign firms.
Project Viability at Risk
Infrastructure analysts believe the project’s viability is highly uncertain. Forecast models suggest that unless daily traffic volumes exceed 5,000 vehicles, toll revenues alone may not be enough to service the investment—forcing the government to assume traffic shortfall risk.
Kenya’s rising public debt profile further complicates the deal. Unlike previous Chinese-backed infrastructure investments, U.S. financial partners are less willing to offer state-backed guarantees unless tied to U.S. firms—raising questions about investor confidence.
Broken Promises and Rising Disillusionment
Once heralded during President Obama’s 2015 visit to Kenya, the expressway was expected to cut travel time from 10 hours to under five, enable Special Economic Zones, and boost regional trade. Today, it lies in limbo—with no land expropriation, no construction crews, and no binding financing in place.
Local journalists and opinion leaders warn of “shattered promises,” pointing to delayed timelines, cost inflation, and foreign investor exit scandals. Heavy rains earlier this year exposed the deteriorating condition of the old A109 highway—highlighting the urgency—and yet the new route remains a distant dream.
What the Future Holds
Construction is slated to begin in early 2026, according to initial PPP plans, with a projected completion by 2029. However, with legal challenges mounting, investor skepticism high, and motorist associations threatening court action, the Usahihi Expressway may never break ground.
If the government cannot guarantee affordability, traffic viability, or transparent public involvement, this ambitious project may fall victim to its own structural and societal contradictions.
Kenya’s economic lifeline remains grounded for now. As debt concerns deepen and public anger rises, the fate of the Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway lies in question—and the road ahead grows ever steeper.
