The president of African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina Adeyoji has expressed satisfaction on the progress in implementing the 84km Kenol-Marua dual carriage highway.

On Tuesday, Adesina who was accompanied by Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia to inspect the road said through the government’s effort, the project is expected to be completed two years earlier than scheduled.

The road, which is divided in two lots, is expected to be fully completed by December from the initial planned completion time slated for 2024.

Adesina underscored the project, funded by AfDB at Sh5.6 billion observing it will not only reduce traveling time but also transform the socio-economic status of many people.

“The work done on this project is tremendous, I laud the government of Kenya for picking the best contractors who are doing high quality jobs. This road will be a major boost to the economic growth of this country,” he said.

The government is expanding the transport link which is part of the Northern Corridor into a modern four-lane dual carriage.

The construction of the road was started late 2019 and is part of the Great North Road starting in Cape Town and enters Kenya through Namanga before exiting into Ethiopia in Moyale.

Lot One—from Kenol town in Murang’a to Sagana in Kirinyaga—is at 72 per cent complete and the second lot—from Sagana to Marua in Nyeri—is at 63 per cent complete.

Adesina underscored the Kenyan government’s commitment in infrastructural developments saying they are the backbone of economic growth for every country.           

—KNA