THE EXPRESS WAY

The government of Kenya proposed the Expressway 10 years ago, implemented it in 2019 and now it is almost finished. The expressway, according to the KeNHA (Kenya National Highway Authority), would ease congestion of vehicles and motorists during the peak hours. The Nairobians embraced this project wholeheartedly, knowing very well that at least the infrastructure will have improved as well as they will also benefit from it.

What Kenyans knew about The Expressway before the COVID-19 pandemic;

• The Express Way will provide passage of cargo for the neighboring landlocked countries up to 85%.
• Improve the transport system and connectivity of goods, people and services therefore an increase in the productivity of the nation hence increased GDP.
• The Express Way will improve competitiveness with East African countries, making Nairobi the center of most Business Hubs.
• Reduction of congestion along Mombasa road, Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way ( A8 road), enhancing economic vitality and better traffic flow.

“Letter from Africa: How the Nairobi Expressway is changing Kenya’s capital – BBC News” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55995229.amp

What the Expressway is at now during this COVID-19 period; 

Payments

It is expected that every motorists and vehicle make payments via different methods so as to use this 27Km road depending on how many kilometers you will cover. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/infographics/2022-03-22-breakdown-of-expressway-toll-charges/ . The registration and mode of payment; https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/74600-how-use-nairobi-expressway-registration-and-payment-procedure

• Socio economic divide

Priority is given to the wealthy, because they are able to afford the payment set aside by the government, making the common and the rest mwananchi still continue with the congestion during peak hour therefore, unable to benefit from it. “Nairobi’s new expressway may ease traffic woes – but mostly for the wealthy” https://theconversation.com/amp/nairobis-new-expressway-may-ease-traffic-woes-but-mostly-for-the-wealthy-170164

• Debt

The Expressway will be maintained by the Chinese corporation for 27 years, by which the country would have already cleared the debt owed. This implies that, not anytime soon will the common mwananchi afford to use the road of which it is an Infrastructure for everyone to use.

• Environment impact

A Lot of destruction and damage was done to trees along the areas where this road was to pass. Inhabitants of the trees (birds) deprived of their home. As much as the huge trees were cut off, there is no effort in replanting other ones hence causing environmental chaos in the future. “2,500 trees brought down to pave the way for Kenya’s major highway | The East African” https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/2-500-trees-brought-down-pave-way-kenya-s-major-highway-3720416?view=htmlamp