China Wu Yi begins work on Langata Road extension

China Wu Yi Construction Company is setting up a work station at the Bomas of Kenya in readiness for the construction of a dual carriageway extension of Langata Road.

The Chinese company was last month awarded the Sh2.6 billion Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) contract for the construction of a dual carriageway extension of Langata Road from the KWS gate to the Bomas Junction.

KURA Chief Corporate Affairs Officer John Cheboi said the project, which includes lighting and a footbridge at the KWS gate, will be completed within 15 months.

“The 3.6km dual carriageway will have an interchange at Bomas-Galleria Junction and a walk way and cycle lane which will ease the traffic snarl up experienced by motorists using Langata Road,’ said Mr Cheboi in a statement.

Fully funded by the government of Kenya, the project is part of KURA’s major expansion drive to open up the southern region of Nairobi.

China Wu Yi is part of a growing list of Chinese companies currently working on construction projects around the country. The firm is upgrading Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Old Embakasi Airport.

Other Chinese firms working in Kenya include Synohydro Corporation, China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Co and Shengli Engineering Group.

Chinese companies have in the past five years won more than half of tenders in Kenya’s major road expansion programs –  eliciting protests among local contractors who accuse the government of favouring the Chinese.

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