Ruto Bags Ksh260 Billion From Japan To Complete Africa's Longest Bridge

The largest projects to benefit from the billion-shilling deal are the Dongo Kundu Infrastructure Ecosystem and the Mombasa Gateway Bridge at the Coast at Ksh260 billion.

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Feb 8, 2024 - 22:17 Updated: Feb 8, 2024 - 22:17
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Ruto Bags Ksh260 Billion From Japan To Complete Africa's Longest Bridge
President William Ruto greets Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kushida (left) and an artistic impression of the Mombasa Gateway Bridge. /PCS.CONSTRUCTION KENYA

Kenya's dream of securing bragging rights for the longest bridge on the African continent could soon become a reality after President William Ruto secured billions that will go towards its completion.

According to State House in a press statement on Thursday, February 8, financial agreements worth Ksh350 billion have been signed during President Ruto’s visit to Japan, agreements which will support projects and programmes in sectors that are aimed at turning around the economic fortunes of the country.

The largest projects to benefit from the billion-shilling deal are the Dongo Kundu Infrastructure Ecosystem and the Mombasa Gateway Bridge at the Coast at Ksh260 billion.

Mombasa Gateway Bridge Features

Estimated to cost Ksh85 billion, the 1.4km Mombasa Gateway Bridge, will connect Mombasa Island with South Coast, providing an alternative means of transport to the 84-year-old ferry service that suffers perennial breakdowns that delays traffic flow to and from Mombasa to the South Coast.

The Mombasa Gateway Bridge is set to be the longest in Africa. /CONSTRUCTION KENYA

According to the Mombasa Gate Bridge City Masterplan, the project was to begin in June 2021 with a completion date of June 2024 when the bridge would be put to use.

However, this did not happen as the stakeholders were unable to resolve compensation and resettlement issues that continue to hold back the project.

The funding comes a month after Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen met Japanese officials at the second Kenya-Japan Quality Infrastructure Conference in Nairobi to discuss the construction of the bridge.

At the time, the CS boasted that the bridge which has been under construction since its feasibility study was done in 2019. Part of the delays were caused by the need to compensate a total of 1,706 households that were displaced from 725 plots amounting to 62.6 hectares of land.

"Japan is also involved in new major projects such as the Mombasa Gateway Bridge, which will be the longest in Africa," Murkomen stated at the time, adding "It will not only ease the movement of people and goods between the island and the South Coast but will also be a tourist attraction."

Design

The Mombasa Gate Bridge design calls for the erection of a cable-stayed bridge that will support four traffic lanes, soaring 69 metres high at the mid-point to allow ample space for ships to pass underneath on their way into and out of the Kilindini harbour.

The bridge will consist of three spans supported by four piers on both the Likoni and Mombasa Island sides of the channel.

The main span – 660 metres long – will be supported by two piers mounted at the shallow seashore on the Mombasa side and in front of the Zanzibar Palace Ruins on the Likoni side. Side spans will be 330m long and will be anchored on 2 extra piers on either side.

The Mombasa Gate Bridge will start near King’orani Prison on Lumumba Road and will rise over the Mombasa Railway Station, then above Moi Avenue to the west of Canon Towers.

It will then traverse Archbishop Makarios Road to Ganjoni, turn right above Liwatoni and cross over Likoni Channel to get into the Likoni side at the ruins of the Sultan of Zanzibar Place near Puma Primary School.

The Mombasa Gate Bridge will then continue along the eastern shoreline of Mweza Creek before descending and eventually touching down near the Javi la Wageni Primary School. It will then proceed as a four-lane highway to cross Mtongwe Road at the Post Office before connecting to the Mombasa Southern Bypass at Ziwani on the border with Kwale County.

In total, the Mombasa Gate Bridge project will be a 13.2km development inclusive of approach roads.

Meanwhile, the Dongo Kundu Infrastructure Ecosystem, on the other hand, aims to install infrastructure supporting the Mombasa Special Economic Zone. Its feasibility test was carried out in February 2020.

Other Deals

President Ruto and Prime Minister Fumio Kushida also agreed that Kenya will issue a Ksh40 billion Samurai bond in Japan to finance energy and infrastructure projects.

President William Ruto greets Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kushida in Japan on February 8, 2024. /PCS

A Samurai bond is a yen-denominated bond issued in Tokyo by a non-Japanese company. The bond is, however, subject to Japanese regulations.

Kenya also secured Ksh30 billion from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation to purchase heavy machinery and mechanised assets.

The Olkaria Geothermal Development Project will get Ksh15 billion. Japan will also provide Ksh1 billion for the ⁠production of medical oxygen for various hospitals.

Through the United Nations, Kenya will receive Ksh320 million in humanitarian aid ⁠for those affected by the recent El Nino-related floods.