KeNHA halts US-backed Nairobi-Mombasa toll road project
On or around June, 2025, Usahihi Expressway team led by Chairman Amb. Kyle McCarter (left) submitted to KeNHA what it termed as a 2,300-page study, detailing a ready-to-use model for future PPPs in the country that "sets a new benchmark for sustainable, inclusive, and accountable development." Now, KenHA says this study did not meet the set criteria.
A US backed proposal to build Africa's largest toll road connecting Nairobi and Mombasa under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has been rejected, with authorities in Kenya seeking the expansion of the existing road between the two main cities before resubmission of the plan.
In a notice to the public on Tuesday, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KenHA) said that the privately proposed construction of Nairobi-Mombasa road, popularly known as Usahihi Expressway did not meet the government's set criteria.
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KenHa stated that the proposed 459-km transport corridor stretching from Mlolongo, in Machakos County, to Bonje area in Mombasa County should be "abandoned in accordance with section 43(11)(c) of the PPP Act, 2021."
"The contracting authority considers restructuring the project to mett the evaluation criteria through expansion o fthe existing A8 Highway. The proposal may then be resubmitted to the committee for a fresh determination," KenHA directed.
Largest toll road project in Africa
In May 2024, President William Ruto unveiled a grand plan to build Usahihi, an expressway connecting Nairobi to Mombasa, during his visit to the U.S. where he met President Joe Biden.
Usahihi Expressway was modelled to become the largest toll road project in Africa as part of marking 60 years of economic and strategic cooperation between Nairobi and Washington D.C.
The initiative was led by US-owned infrastructure investment manager, Everstrong Capital, which signed the Project Development Agreement with KeNHA, paving the way for full development rights to the US company.
According to the project's details, Usahihi was envisioned to pay for itself in a structured PPP arrangement by tolling would be road users.
"Usahihi will organize finance, construction, tolling, operation, and maintenance of the expressway under a 30-year concession with construction lasting 3-4 years," a statment from Usahihi website states in part.
The project aims to see travellers save on time and cost by cutting the current 10.5-hour journey between the two cities, to a journey of roughly 4.5 hours.
“The Usahihi Expressway isn’t just a project; it’s a testament to the transformational power of doing things right. It symbolizes passion, commitment, and transparency, demonstrating how to deliver immense value, not only to Kenyan citizens but to the entire East Africa region. It’s about changing lives and shaping the future of Kenya,” noted Kyle McCarter, Usahihi Chairman, and Everstrong Capital Partner. McCarter is a former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya.
Usahihi Expressway project said it anticipates to attract up to $3.6 billion (roughly KES466 billion) in investments drawn from investors across the world, development agencies, pension funds, and local investors.
