President Uhuru Kenyatta to launch Sh8.5 billion Outering road construction

A section of the dilapidated Outering Road

NAIROBI: The much awaited construction of Nairobi's Outering Road into a dual carriage will eventually begin this week as President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to unveil the project.

Project preparations have been completed and the President could launch the project as early as this week according to State House.

The African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded Outer Ring dual carriage highway project is a mere 13-km stretch but will have enormous, life-changing ramifications on travel from Eastlands into the city.

A contract agreement between Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and SinoHydro Corporation, who won the tender, was signed on 21st August, 2014 paving way for the launch.

"We can confirm that the project is near launch, and that the launch is tentatively pencilled in for this week," State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu told the Standard.

The construction of the road will come as a relief to city motorists who have been suffering for a long time spending long hours in snarl-ups, since once the construction works is complete, the traffic nightmare will end.

The project is estimated to cost Sh8.5 billion is jointly funded by Government of Kenya and Development partners AfDB, with 11.5 per cent funding coming from the government and 88.5 per cent being funded by AfDB.

Lee International Canada in joint venture with Lea Associates S. East Asia are the consultants for the project. This construction will take a period of 36 months.

The 13km dual carriageway starts from Ruaraka /Thika Road Junction at the GSU headquarters to Taj Mall on the Eastern Bypass in Embakasi.

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The scope of the project involves daulling (two lanes in each direction), service Roads, 10 footbridges, 9metre Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to be constructed at a later date, Non-Motorized Traffic and six grade separated junctions.

According to KURA, the introduction of footpaths and cycle tracks on either side of the roads is an added value as Government moves to encourage members of the public to be environment conscious and use safe tracks while footing or cycling to and from City Centre.

The design provides ten footbridges and four subways for the safety of pedestrians across the highway. It also provides for underground services for cables and water lines and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor to be constructed at a later stage.

During the construction deviation roads of about 12km will be upgraded for use by the public and include; Thika Superhighway - Mathare North - Juja road; Mtarakwa - Komarock Road; Embakasi Barracks - Kangundo Road and Eastern Bypass-Outer Ring Road.

Being part of the Vision 2030 flagship projects, KURA says this development will see the transformation of the surrounding areas economically and socially.

"More investment opportunities and business empires will arise as the road will not only connect people, but also markets. The dual carriageway is expected to also accommodate a larger number of vehicles as compared to the current situation and motorists won't spend a lot on fuel and transport costs."

The Project is set to also improve social and environmental projects along the road corridor with the planting of 4,500 seedlings and provision of welfare facilities.

"Under the project, at least 500 youths (60% to be women) in three years shall be selected to be trained as artisans in local technical training institutions to enhance their skills to enable them secure gainful employment thereafter," KURA says in a statement.