Expressway closed for the second day ahead of official opening by President Kenyatta
The 27 kilometer double-decker Expressway is closed for the second day running ahead of the yet to be announced official opening by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The revolutionary infrastructure stretching from Westlands in Nairobi to Mlolongo in Machakos County was closed yesterday 9PM.
The abrupt closure caught many commuters by surprise who expressed their dissatisfaction for the unexpected shutdown particularly those rushing to catch their flight at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“The trial period for the Nairobi Expressway, which commenced on May 14, 2022, has come to an end. The road will now be closed from 9pm this Saturday, July 30, 2022 until it is officially commissioned.” Moja Expressway Company, a firm that runs the highway said through a quick dispatch to newsrooms.
President Kenyatta had commissioned the route for trials in June.
Moja Expressway said the trial phase was meant to assess the project and highlight the challenges it faced and their impact on service delivery.
“Moja Expressway Company Limited regrets any inconvenience caused and motorists will be advised upon resumption of service on the expressway,” the statement read in part.
The closure comes against the backdrop of multiple crashes on the newly built road attributed to speeding and reckless driving by both private and public service vehicles.
However, the design flaws of the multi-billion project has been challenged.
Early last month, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia directed that no passenger vehicle with a capacity of over seven passengers will be allowed on the Nairobi Expressway in measures aimed at curbing road accidents.
The measures announced by the government after multiple crashes.
“These accidents have necessitated an investigation into the cause of these accidents and incidents, so that appropriate safety intervention can be developed to ensure that commercial passenger vehicles use the expressway safely.” CS Macharia said.
Other measures include the construction of rumble strips to warn drivers to slow down as they approach the various toll gates on the new road.
The maximum speed limit on the road has also been set at 110 kilometers per hour, with fines of up to Sh100,000.
The CS said that the maximum speed limit on all public roads in Kenya is 110km/h.
