Nairobi, Kenya – The Kenyan government has cancelled plans to build a new Sh468 billion expressway linking Nairobi and Mombasa, citing failure to meet evaluation criteria and concerns over value for money. Instead, authorities will prioritise upgrading the existing A8 highway to ease congestion on the country’s busiest transport corridor. The decision was taken by the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Committee on 2 July and announced in August after an assessment concluded that the private proposal did not deliver sufficient benefits to justify the cost.

The project, spearheaded by U.S. firm Everstrong Capital, envisioned a new tolled road running parallel to the current highway. Critics argued the expressway would duplicate infrastructure while imposing hefty tolls on motorists. Transport officials said restructuring the proposal to expand and dual the A8 road would achieve the same objective at a lower cost and with less displacement of communities along the corridor.

Under the revised plan, the government will widen sections of the existing highway, improve junctions and build bypasses to reduce travel time between the capital and the coastal city. The Kenya National Highways Authority is expected to issue tenders for design and construction in phases. Officials say the revamped A8 will integrate seamlessly with the Standard Gauge Railway, providing multimodal options for freight and passengers.

The cancellation reflects a broader reassessment of Kenya’s infrastructure pipeline amid fiscal pressures and a focus on projects that deliver immediate economic returns. Investors and development partners have been urged to submit fresh proposals that align with the government’s upgraded road strategy. Everstrong Capital has said it respects the government’s decision and will explore opportunities to participate in the expansion.

Motorists and transporters welcomed the move, saying that enhancing the existing highway would be less disruptive and more affordable. However, some analysts warn that without strict oversight, the roadworks could face the same delays and cost overruns that have plagued other major projects. The government insists that lessons from past undertakings will inform new contracts and monitoring frameworks.