President Mwai Kibaki is scheduled to commission the just completed 50.4 km modern Thika Highway tomorrow. According to Vision 2030 delivery Secretariat Director General Mugo Kibati the scheduled inauguration of the new KES 31 billion 8 lane highway by the president is part of the government’s commitment to ensure the full implementation of Vision 2030.

Speaking to the media in his office, Kibati acknowledged that the government is investing heavily to ensure the implementation of all Vision 2030 flagship projects.

In the roads sector, which is regarded a key economic development enabler, Kibati noted that the government has extended budget and policy based resources amounting to more than KES 123 billion alongside growing development partners’ support from and the African Development Bank among others.

The construction of the new approved KES 12 billion Turbi-Moyale road to bitumen standards, Kibati explained will particularly play a key role in opening up the Northern part of the country while boosting regional trade with Ethiopia.

Vandalism

Contractors at the new Thika Highway have embarked on a pilot project to install non scrap value Fibre glass road signs to deter marauding vandals and enhance road safety. A pilot project to install solar powered streetlights is also underway on a section of Thika Road.

During a media tour of the highway earlier this week, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) expressed concerns about vandalism activities along the road targeting guard rails, road signs and lighting equipment on the highway. Scrap metal dealers were put on notice about handling and purchase of part of the vandalized material from the road.

The 50 km  highway, built through funding by the Government of Kenya, African Development Bank and the People's Republic of China is part of the A2 international trunk road system. The highway is expected to enhance transport services and urban mobility by reducing general transport costs, improve accessibility to public transportation, employment opportunities, housing and recreation activities.