KeNHA Set to Open Key Section of Mombasa–Malindi Highway Ahead of Festive Rush
The traffic teams shall be on the ground, observing the situation and providing assistance when necessary to avoid disruptions.
KeNHA Resident Engineer Joseph Gichuru said the opening will significantly reduce traffic pressure on alternative routes, particularly as Mombasa welcomes visitors from across the country. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The Kenya National Highways Authority has announced that a critical portion of the Mombasa-Malindi highway will be opened in the next ten days to help reduce heavy traffic and cater to the influx of holiday travellers to the coast. This development comes as the region prepares for its annual influx of both domestic and international tourists during the Christmas season.
KeNHA officials said the partial opening of the roadway is part of a wider traffic management strategy intended to minimize congestion along the busy corridor. Addressing reporters during a press briefing, KeNHA Engineer Anthony Omach said the authority has been working in close collaboration with the Kenya Police Service, county traffic marshals, and in-house highway personnel to implement a coordinated plan with the view to improving mobility during the holiday period.
“Our intention is to open the main road first and then work on the service roads to further ease traffic,” Omach noted, adding that the priority is to restore steady traffic flow as construction progresses.
According to Omach, the stretch between City Mall and Serena Junction is expected to be open to motorists before Christmas. This section has been one of the most critical along the road network, with ongoing works contributing to extended delays for commuters and tourists. When opened, the route is expected to be a big relief to travellers making their way to the coastal region for the holiday festivities.
KeNHA Resident Engineer Joseph Gichuru echoed Omach’s sentiments, stressing that the move will ease the pressure on alternative routes that have been relied on following the construction works. He said the reopening of the highway will also ease congestion on the Links Road Bridge that has seen increased pressure in the past few months.
“We expect major relief on the Links Road Bridge. Vehicles will also be able to use the new bridges at Bamburi near Petrocity, Shanzu and Serena Junction,” Gichuru said.
The completion and opening of the revamped bridges form part of an ongoing infrastructure improvement programme that is designed at improving connectivity and enhancing road safety along the Mombasa-Malindi corridor. The new structures will support higher volumes of traffic and give easier access to key tourist destinations.
KeNHA officials assured the public that all measures necessary are being taken in Mombasa, which is getting ready to welcome thousands of visitors, to ensure that the roads will remain passable and safe throughout the festive season. The traffic teams shall be on the ground, observing the situation and providing assistance when necessary to avoid disruptions. The authority advised the motorists to observe the traffic guidelines and be patient during the final works, emphasizing that the upgrade would result in a smoother flow of road network in the long run.
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