Nairobi’s main access roads are undergoing extensive rehabilitation and redevelopment to resolve persistent infrastructure and traffic management challenges that have hindered mobility and economic efficiency. For years, motorists entering the city have endured delays, unsafe conditions and poor road design—issues now being comprehensively addressed through ongoing works.
The project also intends to tackle deficient drainage systems, allowing stormwater to collect on the tarmac and degrade road surfaces, uneven road surfaces, unrepaired potholes, and damaged manholes that slow traffic and endanger motorists. It will also address neglected road maintenance, resulting in progressive infrastructure decay, and absence of pedestrian walkways, bicycle lanes and designated vehicle stops, causing obstructions and unsafe conditions.
Located in the Upper Hill area of Nairobi, the project involves the reconstruction of existing urban roads. The project covers a total of 5.37 kilometres of road. The main arterial roads consist of Kenyatta Avenue, Ngong Road and Haile Sellassie Avenue. The branch roads include State House Road, Nyerere Road, Processional Way, Milimani Road, Valley Road, Ragati Road, Haile Selassie Link Road and Upper Hill Close Road, totalling eight. Two bridges are located within the project, namely the Kenyatta Avenue bridge and the Haile Selassie Avenue bridge. Landscaping, drainage and traffic safety ancillary works are also required.
The project, undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation, with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority as the implementing agency, aims to deliver durable, well-structured and safe urban transport corridors. CRBC’s interventions directly address the key challenges, namely congestion due to heavy traffic flow into the city centre, non-functional traffic lights at major junctions as vehicles approach the city and the absence of proper road markings, reducing lane discipline and safety.
Other challenges that this project intends to address include a lack of essential road furniture, such as culverts, signage and barriers, at appropriate points, provision of access points for the erection of street lighting, compromising night-time security and safe driving, and inadequate road exits and acceleration lanes, leading to frequent accidents.
Upper Hill has, over the last decade, become a critical node in Nairobi’s urban ecosystem. Home to numerous government ministries, corporate headquarters, embassies, banks, insurance firms, international organisations, medical institutions and universities, the area plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s socioeconomic development. Yet, rapid urbanisation has not been matched with adequate road infrastructure—resulting in chronic congestion, limited access and longer commute times.
The Upper Hill Road Project was conceptualised to address these long-standing mobility constraints. By introducing a modern, well-aligned road network and improved access roads, the project will divert significant volumes of traffic from Uhuru Highway and the Nairobi CBD, thereby reducing vehicular load on one of Nairobi’s most heavily used corridors.
Once completed, the project will open up multiple new and rehabilitated road links, improving connections between Upper Hill, Community Area, Kenyatta National Hospital, Mbagathi Way, Lang’ata Road and Mombasa Road. These new connections will provide alternative routes for both private and public transport vehicles, particularly during peak traffic hours, reducing the bottlenecks that have long plagued the area.
The implementation phase of the project has generated employment for hundreds of Kenyans across various fields—including construction workers, site engineers, technicians, plant operators, safety officers and administrative personnel. This has helped alleviate short-term unemployment while simultaneously building a skilled labour pool with practical experience in modern infrastructure delivery.
The CRBC-led project has also offered opportunities for local subcontractors and suppliers, stimulating business activity in construction-related sectors such as materials supply, equipment leasing, catering and transport. In the long term, it is expected that the improved accessibility and road quality will attract new investments, support business expansion and improve land values in Upper Hill and its adjacent neighbourhoods.
In addition, the improved road network will enhance emergency response times to and from nearby medical institutions, including Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Hospital. The area’s key stakeholders – from law firms and financial institutions to healthcare providers and educational centres – stand to benefit from easier access and improved logistical support.
Beyond easing traffic and boosting economic performance, the project aligns with Nairobi’s broader vision of a sustainable and smart urban future. The new roads incorporate improved drainage systems, better pedestrian access, modern signage, and safer intersections — all of which contribute to a safer, cleaner, and more inclusive urban environment.
Upper Hill is envisioned to be a leading example of a well-planned mixed-use district in East Africa. This road project lays the foundation for that vision by enhancing liveability, reducing carbon emissions associated with idling traffic and promoting multimodal transport integration.
Communication and branding specialist
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!