The ambitious Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway Project, which was to cost Ksh468 billion, has faced a major setback after the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Committee recommende its development proposal to be abandoned until it meets the standard criteria.
The expressway dubbed Usahihi Express was intended to be a 419-kilometre, four-lane highway connecting Nairobi to Mombasa.
The project was initiated under a PPP by Everstrong Capital, a US-based infrastructure investment firm. In December 2023, Everstrong was approved to proceed to the Project Development/Feasibility Study stage.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) was designated as the contracting authority.
Following months of technical assessments, Everstrong Capital submitted its Project Development Report (PDR) for review. However, on July 2, 2025, the PPP Committee determined that the report did not meet the required standards and should be abandoned in accordance with Section 43(11)(c) of the PPP Act, 2021.
''It was determined that the PDR did not meet the relevant criteria and should be abandoned in accordance with Section 43(11)(c) of the PPP Act,'' the statement by the committee read in part.
The committee, however, allowed for the proposal to be resubmitted for a fresh determination.
''The proposal may, however, be resubmitted to the Committee for a fresh determination in line with Section 43(12) of the PPP Act, 2021,'' the statement continued.
This means the Usahihi Expressway is not entirely off the table, but its future now depends on a more detailed and compliant submission that meets the relevant criteria set by the PPP Committee.
The road was expected to be a major boost for Nairobi–Mombasa travellers, as it was projected to reduce travel time from 10 hours to approximately five hours by allowing speeds of up to 120 km/h.
Everstrong Capital had proposed a toll-based revenue model, with heavy commercial vehicles mandated to use the expressway, expected to contribute up to 75 per cent of total revenue.
Through its Senior Advisor, Kyle McCarter, Everstrong Capital announced that upon completion, the 419-kilometre four-lane highway would generate up to Ksh1 trillion in long-term revenue.
