KeNHA Advances 83km Dual Carriageway on Mombasa-Kilifi A7

Construction continues on the 83-kilometre Mombasa–Mtwapa–Kilifi A7 road as Kenya National Highways Authority turns one of the Coast’s busiest routes into a modern dual carriageway.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo this week highlighted the works, which form part of the wider Malindi–Lunga Lunga/Horohoro–Tanga–Bagamoyo East African Coastal Road Corridor.

Dualed sections /Handout

Officials say the upgrade will ease congestion, cut travel times, support tourism and strengthen regional trade links along the north coast. Lot 1 covers the 13.5-kilometre stretch from Nyali Bridge to Mtwapa Bridge. Contractors are building a four-lane dual carriageway with six grade-separated interchanges, service roads, pedestrian footbridges and an extensive drainage network.

Flyover progress at Bombolulu

Recent reports put overall progress on this section between the low forties and high fifties percent after earlier land acquisition delays. Four of the planned interchanges have already opened. Remaining works at junctions such as Fidel Odinga Road and Bombolulu are now moving after compensation payments to project-affected persons.

A critical component is the new Mtwapa Bridge. The 345-metre prestressed concrete structure will carry four lanes across Mtwapa Creek, featuring a 162-metre main span and two 91.5-metre approach spans. Construction is still at the substructure stage, with foundation and pier reinforcement under way.

Once complete, the new bridge will handle main traffic while the existing two-lane crossing remains as a service route into Mtwapa town. Design features include pedestrian walkways, non-motorised transport facilities and safety barriers intended to serve more than 30,000 daily users.

Lot 2, running from Mtwapa through Kwa Kadzengo to Kilifi, is further advanced. Sections of dual carriageway have been completed. Additional works include bridges, a weighbridge, a market at Takaungu and spur roads. Funding comes from the African Development Bank, the European Union and the Government of Kenya.

Each major lot is budgeted around KSh 7.5 billion. Billions of shillings have been released in recent months to the National Land Commission to clear compensation claims that previously slowed progress. The corridor has long suffered from heavy traffic, especially during peak tourism seasons and around the old Mtwapa crossing.

Once finished, the dual carriageway and associated infrastructure are expected to improve road safety and reduce journey times between Mombasa and Kilifi. Officials continue to link the works to the broader goal of better connectivity within the East African coastal network.