The JKIA-James Gichuru beautification works progressing well - KeNHA

Construction works are now visibly progressing along the JKIA to James Gichuru Road corridor, officially designated as the A8 highway, as the Kenya National Highways Authority advances capacity enhancement and urban improvement measures on one of Nairobi’s most heavily used routes.

The corridor forms the primary road connection between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and key commercial and residential areas of the city, including the central business district, South B, South C, and Westlands. It also links directly with Mombasa Road and Waiyaki Way, placing it at the centre of Nairobi’s southern and eastern traffic movements. Daily traffic includes airport transfers, commuter vehicles, public transport, and freight traffic, making the route a constant pressure point within the city’s road network.

The current works focus on improving traffic flow, safety, and durability while also addressing the condition and appearance of the road environment. According to KeNHA, the project combines physical upgrades to the highway structure with improvements within the road reserve, including landscaping and other visual enhancements intended to bring the corridor closer to international urban road standards.

Activity along the corridor follows an earlier clearance exercise carried out by the authority in mid January. KeNHA issued public notices requiring the removal of billboards, advertising signs, tree nurseries, and temporary structures that had encroached on the road reserve. Those affected were given fourteen days to comply. The clearance was intended to create space for construction works and improve safety along the corridor, which has seen increasing roadside activity over time.

With the reserve cleared, construction has advanced across multiple sections of the route. Works are being carried out while traffic continues to use the road, reflecting the strategic importance of the corridor and the need to maintain access between the airport and the city. KeNHA has repeatedly emphasised the need for cooperation from road users and adjacent properties as the works proceed.

Motorists have been advised to observe temporary traffic signage, reduce speeds, and remain alert within work zones. The authority has indicated that maintaining traffic movement during construction remains a priority, given the corridor’s role in daily commuting and airport operations.

Progress on the ground was reviewed on January 28 during a site visit by KeNHA Acting Director General Eng. Luka Kimeli. He was accompanied by the Director of Maintenance Eng. Ezekiel Fukwo and other senior officials. The team toured the corridor from JKIA through South B and South C before concluding at the James Gichuru junction in Westlands.

During the inspection, officials assessed how the ongoing works align with project objectives, technical specifications, and quality requirements. KeNHA said the visit provided direct oversight as construction and landscaping activities continue, ensuring that standards are maintained as the project moves forward. The authority did not disclose specific contract values or completion timelines during the update.

The A8 corridor has experienced sustained strain in recent years due to urban growth, rising vehicle numbers, and informal activities along the road reserve. KeNHA has previously identified decluttering and targeted capacity improvements as necessary steps to allow full use of existing road space without major realignments.

The current upgrade seeks to address congestion points and safety concerns within the existing corridor footprint. While some road users have raised questions about specific design features, including raised sections intended for traffic calming, KeNHA has stated that visibility and design effectiveness are being monitored as works continue. No design changes were announced in the latest update.

KeNHA’s mandate covers the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of national trunk roads, particularly where traffic volumes and safety considerations require intervention. The JKIA to James Gichuru project forms part of a broader programme of urban corridor improvements within Nairobi, and is linked to ongoing maintenance and upgrade works on adjacent routes, including approaches to the Southern Bypass.

Officials have indicated that progress along the A8 corridor is being approached with an emphasis on quality and long-term performance rather than speed. As construction continues, the route remains a live work environment, balancing the demands of daily traffic with the need to upgrade a key gateway into the capital.