Kenya news update – South Coast ‘by pass’ project on track

SOUTH COAST ‘BY PASS’ ON TRAC

Sources from Mombasa have dismissed suggestions that the latest round of consultations between Japanese experts – Japan, inspite of her problems at home following a devastating series of earthquakes and a hugely destructive tsunami, is financing the project with grants and loans – and local counterparts were not a factor for delays of the project but in fact needed to fast track the construction of the 10+ mile long stretch of bridges and causeways. The new road development will link the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, and the main Nairobi to Mombasa highway to the coastline south of Mombasa by road, avoiding the current drive through the city of Mombasa and having to use the unreliable ferries at Likoni, often the cause of major delays for commuters, business people and tourists alike.

The ‘by pass’ has been under debate for decades but was never seriously tackled by previous governments until the increased clout of the private sector and the recognition that tourism at the coast line south of Mombasa would boom as a result of the new road and bridge link, finally brought government on board. Alongside the road it is expected that new residential estates will spring up as will a planned Free Trade Zone, adding yet more value to the expected benefits the project will bring to the Kenyan economy.

Watch this space for the announcements on tenders and construction start.