Nairobi-Addis: Chinese firm gets go-ahead

By Macharia Kamau

The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has contracted a Chinese company to construct a 121-kilometre road between Marsabit and Turbi.

Jiangxi Zhongmei Engineering Company will make the road over the next 36 months at a cost of Sh13 billion. The project will be jointly funded by the Africa Development Bank and the Kenya Government.

The Marsabit-Turbi road is part of the 513 kilometre highway that runs between Isiolo and Moyale, linking Kenya to Ethiopia.

Meshack Kidenda, director general of KeNHA, said the Authority plans to have the Isiolo-Moyale highway completed by 2015.

Kebs certification

Work is already in progress on some of the segments of the highway, which could become key in enhancing trade between Kenya and Ethiopia once complete.

"Other projects along the route being undertaken include construction of Isiolo-Merille River road, which is almost complete," he said.

"We have secured financing agreement with the European Union to construct the section between Merille River and Marsabit, and are sourcing for funding to do the final segment between Turbi and Moyale."

Kidenda spoke when KeNHA signed the contractual agreement with Jiangxi Zhongmei Engineering Company in Nairobi, yesterday.

He said the road would also open up the northern part of Kenya, which has not been productive, mostly due to the absence of transport infrastructure.

"This is one of the projects that will enhance regional trade and cooperation. We also expect it to open up the northern side for trade and investment, as well as enhance security along the route," he said. He added that Ethiopia was undertaking a similar project to upgrade their side of the Nairobi-Addis Ababa corridor.