Infrastructure
Work on Kenya-Tanzania Highway in Top Gear
Phase one of the project is set to be complete by the end of 2024.
Construction of the Bagamoyo-Malindi highway, connecting Kenya and Tanzania, is well underway, with phase one of the project set to be completed next year.
The project, which has been underway since 2021, is being executed in phases, with the initial phase now over 35% complete, according to senior project officials.
The 460 km highway, whose construction was to begin in 2016, faced delays due to various issues, among them a full re-design of the Tanzania segment.
There were also environmental concerns around the Saadani National Park – which led to an extra 80-km detour around the wildlife park.
However, these issues were later resolved, paving the way for phase one of the project, covering 54km within Kenya and 120km within Tanzania.
In Kenya, the road starts at the proposed New Mtwapa Bridge next to Mtwapa town. It runs northerly through Mtwapa, Majengo, Kanamai, Kwa Kadzengo, Kijipwa, Shariani, Takaungu, and Mavueni before culminating at Kilifi.
This segment is expected to cost Sh7.7 billion ($50 million).
On the Tanzanian side, the road begins at Mkange, traverses Tungumaa, and concludes in Pangani.
“The development of this road is planned in phases owing to the size (a total of 454 kilometres), the need for review of the studies for some of the sections, and huge investment required,” says Godfrey Enzama, the Principal Civil Engineer.
Speaking in Mombasa last week, Mr Enzama said sections of the road between Tanga, Tanzania, and Lunga Lunga, Kenya, were nearly done and partly in use.
The project is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), African Development Fund (ADF), the European Union (EU), and the governments of Kenya and Tanzania.
Malindi-Bagamoyo highway route
The Malindi-Bagamoyo road, which is expected to cost Sh115 billion, will start in Malindi and make its way southward for about 110 kilometres to Mombasa.
It will then continue its way south for 106 kilometres to Lunga Lunga on the Kenyan side and onward to the nearby border with Tanzania.
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From the border, the highway will continue to Tanga, then on through Pangani before bypassing the Saadani National Park and terminating at Bagamoyo.
The Malindi-Bagamoyo road will be the third transnational highway project between Tanzania and Kenya.
The preceding projects are the 151-kilometre Arusha-Namanga-Athi River Road and the 230-kilometre Arusha-Holili and Taveta-Voi road.
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