Construction Progress Accelerates on Mombasa-Mariakani Dual Carriageway Lot 2

Work is intensifying on the 30.4-kilometre stretch between Kwa Jomvu and Mariakani, a 10.44 billion shilling project aimed at eliminating major logistics bottlenecks along Kenya’s primary Northern Corridor.

Civil works are gaining momentum on the second lot of the Mombasa to Mariakani dualling project following a period of stagnation caused by funding constraints and compensation delays.

The 30.4-kilometre section, stretching from Kwa Jomvu to Mariakani, is currently being executed by the Third Engineering Bureau of China City Construction Group under the supervision of SAI Consulting Engineers.

The project is financed through a partnership between the Government of Kenya and several European partners, including the European Investment Bank, Germany’s Development Bank, and the European Union.

Activity on the site resumed in earnest after the government released critical funds in April 2024 to settle outstanding payment arrears to the contractor and land owners.

Engineers on site are implementing a flexible pavement design specifically engineered to support the heavy axle loads characteristic of the Northern Corridor. This construction involves a multi-layered approach, with the final driving surface consisting of three layers of asphalt concrete.

The pavement specification is intended to prevent the deformation and rutting frequently caused by heavy goods vehicles moving from the Port of Mombasa.

While the section from Mombasa to Mazeras is largely complete and open to traffic, significant earthworks and construction activity are now concentrated around the Mazeras and Mariakani town centers.  These urban segments were bypassed during the initial phases of construction and are expected to cause traffic disruptions as heavy machinery moves into these high-density areas.

The scope of work extends beyond the main carriageway to include safety infrastructure. Current works involve the installation of four pedestrian footbridges between Mazeras and Mariakani, alongside the construction of paved walkways to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Permanent axle load control weighbridges and improved grade intersections are also part of the final project delivery.

This upgrade follows the completion of the 11.4-kilometre Lot 1 from Mombasa Island to Kwa Jomvu. That initial phase faced an eight-year delay due to land disputes, but now provides a four-to-six lane link that integrates with the Dongo Kundu southern bypass.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Roads has indicated that the dualling of the Northern Corridor will continue with the Machakos Junction to Emali section scheduled to begin in February 2026.

This incremental approach to expanding the A8 highway suggests a strategy of section-by-section development funded by public and donor resources rather than a single large-scale private-public partnership.