Tuesday, 17 June, 2025
Committee on Implementation presses KENHA and KURA to expedite completion of Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani highway project
Mombasa CountyFriday, June 13, 2025
The Committee on Implementation has urged the Ministry of Roads and Transport to expedite the completion of two road projects. These projects are crucial links along the Northern Corridor, connecting the Port of Mombasa to the rest of Kenya, as well as to Eastern and Central Africa.
The Committee was in Mombasa County to assess the progress of the Jomvu Kuu-Jitoni-Rabai Road in Jomvu Subcounty, being undertaken by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA).
They also reviewed the status of the Mombasa-Mariakani Dualling Project by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the compensation of individuals affected by this project, which extends into Kilifi County.
This matter came before the House following a Public Petition filed by Jomvu MP, Hon. Bady Talib.
During the inspection of the Jomvu Kuu-Jitoni-Rabai Road, KURA’s Director General, Eng. Silas Kinoti attributed the delay in its completion to delayed payment of the contractor. He noted, however, that the contractor has since been paid and is ready to resume work at the site.
“Hon. Chair, the delay has been caused by a delay to pay for the works done already. He has however now been paid and he’s pledged that he will resume works soon”, Eng. Kinoti stated.
Committee Members, led by Chairperson Hon. Raphael Wanjala, expressed dissatisfaction with the excessive time the project had taken, emphasizing the inconvenience it has caused to both motorists and pedestrians.
“Eng. this road is a crucial link to the main Mombasa highway and its completion delay has caused distress to the area residents and motorists alike. We are calling for its expedited completion, and the Committee will be back here to see how far the directive of the House has been implemented”, Hon. Wanjala remarked.
The main works for this project, which began in 2023, include the construction of the Jomvu Kuu-Jitoni-Rabai Road to bitumen standards. The cross-sections feature a 7m-wide carriageway, lined drains on both sides, and walkways. Of the 11.7km project, 2.2km remains to be completed.
Shifting focus to the 11.9km long Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu road project, financed by the African Development Fund and the Government of Kenya, the Committee learned that a lack of funds and two court cases by land claimants had hindered progress. The expected completion date for this project is September 2025.
Recognizing that a petition regarding land compensation initiated the House's action and consequently the Committee's visit, the lawmakers sought an update on the land acquisition status.
Eng. Henry Gakuru, representing the KENHA Director-General at the meeting, informed the Committee that KENHA had transferred a total of Kshs. 5.3 billion to the National Land Commission (NLC) to facilitate compensation.
“A total of 618 No. PAPs were identified along the road from Mombasa to Mariakani with total compensation amount being KES 5, 324,943, 181.58. KENHA has transferred all the funds needed for compensation in the project to NLC for payments to PAP”, Eng. Gakuru explained.
However, he quickly added that the compensation process has been obstructed by inactive bank account details submitted to the NLC by some Project Affected Persons (PAPs), resulting in bounced payments.
Committee Members Hon. Mark Mwenje and Hon. Memusi Kanchory highlighted the sensitivity of land compensation in the country. They urged the Chair to rule that both KENHA and NLC appear before the Committee together to verify the payments. Resultantly, the Chair directed that the two agencies appear before the Committee to shed more light on the compensation matter.
Hon. Cynthia Muge also raised concerns about the significant amounts of dust in the area, noting its potential to cause respiratory ailments. She called on KENHA to intervene to alleviate the situation.
The Committee resolved to grant KENHA three months to complete the project. Upon the lapse of this period, the Committee will conduct another inspection visit to ensure the House resolution on the project has been fully implemented.