KeNHA invites bids for upgrade of Ahero-Isebania highway

Last Updated 11 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has called on bids for the upgrade of the 172km Isebania –Mukuyu-Kisii-Ahero highway that is expected to boost trade. It will be constructed in two slots, one covering the Ahero-Kisii stretch and another covering Kisii-Isebania section. Interested companies must submit their bids before December 17.

The project being funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Kenyan government will pass through four counties Migori, Kisii, Homa Bay and Kisumu, will improve businesses at Lake Victoria Basin. The upgrade of the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero section of the Tanzania –Kenya –South Sudan corridor will facilitate cross border movement of passengers and freight, and hence enhance access to regional markets.

The improvement project will also comprise of upgrading of feeder roads that link to the highway. These include the Oyugis-Kendu Bay road (19.5km), Nyachenge-Tabaka-Ogembo road (105km), Sondu-Nyabondo road (6km), Oyugis-Gamba road (7km), Suneka-Rangwe road (18km), and Misambi-Ekerenyo road (11km).

Further, five-meter wide service roads will be built on both sides of the road at major trading centers to enhance accessibility to businesses. Other components under the project comprise of bus terminals complete with market stalls at Oyugis and Migori, and roadside markets at Katito, Sondu, Chabera, Kadong, Mosoch, Nyachende and Ranen.

Zamconsult Consulting Engineers Limited were engaged to review and update the Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report carried out in 2011, Prepare the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and Gender Analysis for the proposed rehabilitation of the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero road. The proposed road upgrading project falls under mandatory list of projects requiring full environment and social impact assessment as per the regulations.

In September, government partnered with World Bank to repair the Lokichar – Nadapal/Nakodok part of 600km Eldoret-Nadapal highway in the north-west region of Kenya. Upgrading of this important corridor will improve transport and trade between Kenya and South Sudan. Meanwhile, the National Land Commission has given a green light over the construction of Dongo Kundu bypass. The bypass will be built in three phases and Phase one will cover an 8km stretch from Port Reitz to Maganda.