Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu Interchange Opened to Motorists After Years of Delays

Motorists can now use the Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu Interchange after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officially opened the facility to traffic on June 19. The authority said the 11.3-kilometre project has reached 99.4 per cent completion, with only minor works yet to be finalized.

The opening ends a lengthy wait for road users who have endured years of construction activity along one of the busiest sections of the Mombasa transport network. The project has been closely watched because of its importance to traffic movement around Jomvu and the wider Mombasa metropolitan area.

Mombasa - Kwa Jomvu Interchange /Handout

According to KeNHA, progress on the project had previously been slowed by compensation challenges. The authority said construction advanced successfully after the outstanding issues were resolved, allowing the road to be opened to motorists.

Traffic is already flowing through the newly opened interchange, while a small number of finishing works continue on sections adjacent to the main carriageways. The remaining activities appear limited and do not affect the movement of vehicles through the facility.

Mombasa - Kwa Jomvu Interchange ongoing works /Handout

The Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu Interchange forms part of the wider Mombasa-Mariakani road improvement programme. The corridor is one of Kenya's most strategically important transport routes, carrying large volumes of passenger and freight traffic between the Port of Mombasa and inland destinations.

Jomvu has long been associated with heavy congestion, particularly during peak periods and along freight routes serving port-related activities. Delays at the junction have frequently affected travel times for both commercial transporters and ordinary motorists.

Mombasa - Kwa Jomvu Interchange adjacent earthworks /Handout

By separating traffic movements and improving road capacity, the interchange is expected to ease pressure at one of the region's most congested locations. KeNHA said motorists can now enjoy smoother travel, improved traffic flow and enhanced road safety along the corridor.

The authority described the opening as a major achievement in the implementation of the project, noting that the vast majority of construction work has now been completed. Remaining activities are understood to be minor works that do not prevent motorists from using the road.

With vehicles already using the facility, attention will now shift to the completion of the remaining works and the full close-out of a project that has been among the most visible road construction undertakings in the coastal city.