The implementation of the multi-billion-shilling Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu road project has stalled due to significant delays in land compensation and ongoing legal disputes, according to findings by the National Assembly Committee on Transport.
During an inspection tour in Mombasa, the committee cited two pending court cases and a lack of funding as the primary obstacles hindering progress. The 11.9-kilometre stretch, jointly financed by the African Development Fund and the Government of Kenya, is scheduled for completion by September 2025. However, lawmakers noted that much work remains, particularly in addressing compensation for displaced residents. This issue was highlighted in a parliamentary petition by Jomvu MP Bady Twalib.
Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu Road Project
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which is overseeing the project, assured the committee that progress is being made toward resolving compensation challenges. Eng. Henry Gakuru, a KeNHA representative, revealed that Ksh. 5.3 billion had already been set aside for the compensation of affected individuals.
The Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu road forms the first phase of the larger Mombasa-Mariakani Highway upgrade, which aims to expand the current two-lane road into a four- and six-lane dual carriageway. As a vital link within the Northern Corridor, the route connects the port of Mombasa to inland markets in Eastern and Central Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Upon completion, the road is expected to accommodate an average of 20,000 vehicles daily, significantly reducing traffic congestion, emissions, and road accidents. The committee has given KeNHA a three-month deadline to resolve the project delays and ensure timely completion.