KeNHA Completes Lighting Upgrades on JKIA Entry Road as Facelift Continues

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has completed an extensive upgrade of road and walkway lighting along the approach to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). This work forms a component of the broader Capacity Enhancement, Landscaping, and Beautification Project, which stretches from the James Gichuru Junction to the airport entry.

Technical teams concentrated effort on the B10 road section, ensuring that the primary gateway for international visitors meets modern safety standards. The lighting installation follows a series of civil works intended to restore the lower road of the Nairobi Expressway, which sustained damage during the construction of the elevated toll road.

Beyond lighting, contractors are currently finishing the installation of interlocking paving blocks for pedestrian walkways near the airport entry. Heavy stone curbs and ground leveling are also underway to create dedicated green spaces. This phase of the project addresses long-standing safety concerns for travelers and airport workers who navigate the terminal approaches on foot.

According to KeNHA, the initiative aims to improve visibility and the overall aesthetic appeal of this international transit point. The works include the planting of trees and ornamental vegetation to enhance the environmental quality of the corridor. These improvements are part of a wider state plan to modernize the capital’s infrastructure as passenger traffic at JKIA continues to rise.

The government has indicated that these road enhancements precede a planned Sh264 billion expansion of the airport itself. Recent data showed JKIA handled approximately 8.93 million passengers annually, exceeding its original design capacity. The road upgrades are viewed as essential to maintaining the airport's competitiveness as a regional aviation hub.

Clearing of the road corridor began earlier this year to secure the full width of the path for structural improvements. The project also involves restoring drainage systems and decluttering service lanes that were previously obstructed. These efforts ensure that the approach to the airport remains functional and visually clear for both local and international traffic.

While the lighting and walkways are visible milestones, the authority continues to oversee landscaping beneath the Nairobi Expressway. This urban uplift program is designed to transform the transit experience along Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway. President Ruto has previously emphasized the importance of high-quality infrastructure to support Kenya’s role as a regional economic center.

Work remains ongoing in several sections of the corridor, with technical supervisors monitoring the placement of infrastructure to ensure compliance with the project schedule. The facelift is expected to provide a consistent visual standard from the airport through the central business district and into the Westlands area.