The government has announced major progress on the Mombasa–Mariakani (A109) Highway Project, a strategic infrastructure upgrade aimed at decongesting traffic, enhancing connectivity, and boosting economic growth along the busy coastal transport corridor.
The project, which is being executed in two key phases, is a critical part of Kenya’s broader plan to modernize its road network and improve mobility for both goods and passengers.
Lot 1: Mombasa – Kwa Jomvu Section
The first phase of the project involves transforming the existing road into a six-lane dual carriageway — three lanes in each direction — between Mombasa and Kwa Jomvu.
- Completion Status: The works are 95.45% complete and are expected to be finalized soon.
- Key Interchanges: Three major interchanges are under construction at Changamwe, Mikindani, and Kwa Jomvu, designed to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity within the coastal region.
- Road-over-Rail Bridges: Two road-over-rail bridges are being built to eliminate traffic bottlenecks at railway crossings, integrating road and rail transport for smoother movement.
- Land Acquisition Compensation: Out of the KES 5.2 billion allocated for land acquisition, KES 4.7 billion has already been disbursed to Project Affected Persons (PAPs), demonstrating the government’s commitment to fair and equitable resettlement.
Lot 2: Dualling of Kwa Jomvu – Mariakani Section
The second phase of the project focuses on a 30.4 km stretch between Kwa Jomvu and Mariakani, upgrading it to a four- to six-lane dual carriageway to accommodate growing traffic volumes along this key economic corridor.
- Current Progress: 35% of the works are complete, with over 16 km of dual carriageway already laid to the Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) wearing course.
- Inclusive Infrastructure: The project incorporates cycle tracks, pedestrian footpaths, and 12 footbridges to improve safety and promote non-motorized transport.
- Ongoing Structures: Several culverts and footbridge substructures have already been completed, ensuring steady progress on all fronts.
Strategic Importance of the Project
The Mombasa–Mariakani Highway is a critical segment of the Northern Corridor, which connects the Port of Mombasa to Nairobi, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Once completed, the expansion is expected to:
- Reduce travel times between Mombasa and Mariakani significantly.
- Ease congestion along one of Kenya’s busiest roads.
- Enhance trade efficiency by improving access to the Port of Mombasa.
- Boost local economies by opening up business opportunities along the corridor.
Speaking on the project’s progress, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, EGH, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to infrastructure modernization, noting that the highway upgrade would be a “game-changer” for trade, mobility, and economic development across the region.
With Lot 1 nearly complete and Lot 2 progressing steadily, the Mombasa–Mariakani expansion represents a major leap toward achieving the government’s infrastructure development goals. Upon full completion, the project is expected to transform the entire coastal transport experience while supporting Kenya’s broader economic growth agenda.
