Kenha: Gitaru Interchange 85% complete

The Gitaru Interchange, designed to ease congestion of vehicles entering and exiting Nairobi is now 85 per cent complete, Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) has announced.

In a statement, Kenha director general Luka Kimeli said the interchange on Nairobi-Nakuru Highway will allow continuous traffic flow, reduce travel time, as well as ease congestion.”

According to Kimeli, Gitaru Interchange is one of 580 stalled road projects that President William Ruto’s administration recently revived through the securitisation of fuel levy, paving way for resumption of works. 

“Securitisation enabled us to resume this critical project, which was initiated in the year 2024,” he said. 

“In line with the President’s directive, the government is completing stalled road projects regardless of when they started or which administration started the road project because the government is perpetual, and leaving unfinished projects from previous administrations punishes Kenyans."

The project, he said, is designed in the shape of the distinctive clover plant connected to a single stem adding it will be completed by June 30. 

“One fun fact about the Gitaru interchange is the distinctive design inspired by a small, common plant that you all know, the four-loop cloverleaf, often regarded as a weed and known by different names,” he explained.

The interchange is expected to significantly reduce the persistent gridlock around Gitaru by easing movement of traffic into Nairobi and also those exiting the city through the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

It connects Rironi and Western Bypass, Southern Bypass and Nairobi, Rironi and Southern Bypass and Southern Bypass to Nairobi. It links the Western Bypass to Nairobi as well as the Western Bypass to Rironi.

A key pillar of President Ruto’s infrastructure development agenda, the interchange also links Southern Bypass and the Western Bypass and boasts a dual carriageway. At the same time, service roads have also been built connecting to the Western Bypass.  

Locals have expressed hope that the interchange would soon open up the area for trade, noting that the project will have a ripple effect on the economy at all levels, both locally and nationally. 

“Yes, I'm telling you, it's easy now to go to Nairobi. No matter what time you wake up.  In the past, when there were no good roads, people used to think it was risky to wake up at 2 am or even 3 am, but now, even at nine, you just take the road and go to Nairobi,” said George Larama, a trader based in Gitaru.

Larama said the interchange is going to reduce travel time while connecting many major roads seamlessly. “If you are going to Mombasa Road, it is easy. And those who go towards Ruaka, it is easy because the road is good,” he said.