The construction of Garsen-Witu-Lamu road will start later this year. Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced Monday that the paving of the road will begin following advertisement of the works in a local daily.
The project, which will be funded by the Government, will require upgrading of the earth/gravel section to bitumen standard, and reconstruction of the paved section.
The road forms the main access into Lamu County. It connects from the existing bitumen paved road from Garsen through Witu and Hindi to the Mokowe Jetty, from where boat services access Lamu Island. There is an alternative route from Hindi through Milimani to Kiunga.
KeNHA said in a statement that the successful contractor will sign a fixed price contract, with the road agency to provide detailed engineering designs and construction works.
The total length of the road is approximately 250km. KeNHA finalised design reviews earlier though financing was not obtained until recently. The project once complete will play a big role in the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport project and attainment of Vision 2030.
Tourism boost
President Uhuru Kenyatta during a tour of Lamu recently announced that tarmacking of the road from Garsen-Witu-Mokowe would be done this year.
Players in the tourism industry have welcomed the move to rehabilitate the road.
Hoteliers in Lamu said it will easily open up the archipelago to tourism. “We are upbeat over the move to tarmack the road,” said Lamu Palace Hotel General Manager Keziah Mumbi.
Meanwhile, the construction of the Kilifi-Kaloleni road is on course. KeNHA said the project is expected to be completed this year.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project, KeNHA Project Engineer Charles Obuon said it is expected to be completed in August.
“The project is being constructed by MuljiDevraj & Brothers Ltd and funded by the Government at a cost of Sh2.3 billion,” he said.
The project, which is part of the national class C road network, is located in Kilifi. It starts at Mariakani, traversing through Mwasuma river bridge towards Kaloleni before reaching the junction at Mavueni.
The section of road from Mariakani to Kaloleni was recently upgraded to bitumen standard. This was the phase one of the project. Kaloleni to Mavueni is the Phase two, which is under construction.
The scope of works along the road includes an additional 4km of access roads within Kaloleni town. The works comprise the construction of the Mariakani-Kilifi road and Kaloleni Kilifi section to a two lane carriageway.
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Other works include construction of pipe culverts, head walls to culverts and improvement of drainage and soil erosion protection works, construction of pavements and road markings.
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