The Kenya-Uganda expressway linking Kisumu and Busia on the Kenyan side to Kakira and Malaba in Uganda has officially received the green light.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 21, the East African Community (EAC) confirmed the development, suggesting that the initiative is ready for investment and implementation.
"Kenya-Uganda Expressway good to go. Movement between Kenya and Uganda via the Northern Corridor is set for transformation with confirmation of the Kisumu–Busia/Kakira–Malaba Multinational Expressway as a feasible and investment-ready project," the statement read.
According to EAC, in Uganda, the plan includes construction of a new 60-kilometre expressway from Jinja to Busesa under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Additionally, the dualling of the Busesa–Malaba and Busitema–Busia roads is set to further improve traffic flow and efficiency along the busy trade corridor.
Read More
On the Kenyan side, the project will focus on upgrading the Kisumu bypass and Kimaeti–Lwakhakha road to bitumen standards.
Rehabilitation of the Busia and Malaba One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) will also form a key part of the initiative, aiming to reduce congestion and speed up customs clearance processes at the borders.
This comes a day after President William Ruto announced an expansion plan that will see the government dual over 1,000 kilometers of major highways across the country.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui County on Monday, October 20, the Head of State noted that the plan draws inspiration from the late Raila Odinga’s vision for Kenya’s infrastructure growth.
Ruto noted that Raila, who once served as the Minister for Roads, Public Works and Housing, consistently underscored the role of quality transport systems in driving economic prosperity.
"Raila Odinga who also served as the Minister for Roads, Public Works and Housing, often reminded me that no economy can flourish without world class infrastructure.
"It is in this context that we have committed to dual at least 1,000 kilometres of major highways including the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba road, Makutano-Embu-Meru road, Kitengela-Namanga road, Mombasa-Nairobi highway and Maroa-Nanyuki-Isiolo road among others," he said.
Beyond the major highways, Ruto revealed that the government plans to construct thousands of kilometers of new tarmac roads.
He said the project will not only enhance efficiency in road transport but also stimulate business and ease the movement of goods and people.
"We will construct an additional 10,000 kilometres of new tarmac roads linking counties, farmers, traders and manufacturers to markets across the nation and complete the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu and onwards to Malaba, seamlessly connecting Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC," he added.
