Relief for Nairobi motorists as much anticipated expressway opens to public

Kenya's much anticipated Nairobi Expressway is finally open for public use. Speaking on Saturday during the commissioning of the expressway, James Macharia, the country's transport cabinet secretary, said the new road, built by a Chinese company, is expected to greatly reduce traffic in the capital city.

The expressway runs over 27 kilometers, linking Mlolongo town in Machakos county and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. It has 11 interchanges and is expected to be used by 120,000 motorists a day when in full use.

"It is one of the best pieces of infrastructure ever done in Africa," Macharia said. "In fact, it's the longest expressway in Africa. We are very proud today to come to witness the start of the trial run, which will be done for about three or four weeks."

The road was financed and built by China Road and Bridge Corporation under a public-private partnership and consists of four-lane and six-lane dual carriageways.