Govt explains why proposal report on Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway was rejected
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 12, 2025The government has explained the decision to reject the proposal report for the Nairobi–Mombasa (Usahihi) Expressway project after it failed to meet set evaluation criteria.
In a public notice, on August 12, 2025, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said it had received a Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) for the design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer of the road under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The planned expressway was to cover a 459-kilometre stretch from Mlolongo in Machakos County to Bonje in Mombasa County.
The proposal had been granted conditional approval to proceed to the Project Development Phase (PDP). Following this, the project proponent undertook the required activities and submitted feasibility study reports in May 2025. KeNHA then carried out an evaluation in line with Section 43(9) of the PPP Act, 2021, which requires the Contracting Authority to assess all documents resulting from the PDP.
KeNHA forwarded its evaluation report to the PPP Directorate for recommendations to the PPP Committee. The PPP Committee, National Treasury & Economic Planning, delivered its decision during its 54th Ordinary PPP Committee meeting held on July 2, 2025.
Committee orders project restructuring
According to the notice, the Committee “determined that the proposal does not meet the relevant criteria and should be abandoned in accordance with Section 43(11)(c) of the PPP Act, 2021.”
The Committee further “directed that the Contracting Authority considers restructuring the Project to meet the evaluation criteria through expansion of the existing A8 highway.” It added that the revised proposal could then be resubmitted for a fresh determination in line with Section 43(12) of the PPP Act, 2021.
KeNHA stated that the disclosure was made in line with the PPP Act, 2021, the circular on public disclosure requirements dated April 24, 2025, and the government’s commitment to transparency in all its initiatives.
“KeNHA remains committed to strictly adhering to the provisions of the PPP Act, 2021 and further assures the public that it will endeavour to abide by the provisions of the PPP Act, 2021,” the authority said.
It added that the Government of Kenya remains committed to delivering critical infrastructure to Kenyans despite the decision on the Usahihi proposal.