Kenyan motorists eye new expressway

Macharia said the contractor is working on a 24-hour basis to ensure that it is completed by December. According to the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), the project is about 60 percent complete and will reduce travel time between Mlolongo and Westlands from the current two hours to 20 minutes.

The road agency said that the project is part of the northern transport corridor that is the main gateway for imports and exports between the port of Mombasa and the landlocked countries of Uganda, Rwanda and others.

KeNHA said that the Nairobi Expressway will also improve the country's status as a regional transportation hub due to lower transportation costs.

Kendrick Bosire, a taxi operator, blames the perennial traffic jams along Mombasa Road.

"I am only able to make three trips daily along the road due to slow movement of vehicles," Bosire said.

He added that with the opening of the Nairobi Expressway, he hopes to make at least six trips daily which will double his income.

Elaine Wawire, a trader, said that due to traffic congestion, she is forced to close her shop in downtown Nairobi early every day.

"I have to be at home by 6 pm to cook dinner for my family so that means I have to close the business by 4 pm in order to beat the traffic," Wawire said.

She added that once the Nairobi Expressway is operational, her business will be open for more hours during the day, resulting in higher income.