The Nairobi Expressway was built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and is a fine art of work. Built to ease traffic mainly along the Mombasa Road and linking Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Westland’s. The expressway is 27.1 kilometers and costs Ksh88billion.
The expressway comprises 27 toll plazas and 11 toll stations. The toll stations are at
- Mlolongo
- Capital Center
- Haile Selassie
- Southern Bypass
- Museum Hill
- Westlands
- Nairobi West
- JKIA
- Eastern Bypass
- Nairobi East
- Standard Gauge Railway
Mlolongo Express station has the same design as the rest of the toll stations; therefore, there are no flaws.
Mlolongo Express Highway Flaws
Mlolongo toll stations have been a site of two deadly accidents that have claimed lives and injured motorists. It has an exit to Great Wall next to the Mlolongo Footbridge and an entrance from AIC Kasina Church.
On 26th June 2022, there was a tragic accident at the Mlolongo toll station where a speeding driver crashed into awaiting vehicles. The driver died on the spot, while a toll officer and several users were critically injured.
Meanwhile, on Monday, 4th July, a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) crashed at the same toll station injuring several people. The minibus rammed into the toll station after hitting a stationary car and crashing into the toll station, then rolled several times.
These accidents have seen the Mlolongo Toll Station Exit labeled as a highway to death, but not all motorists agree. Reasons:
Corruption by Traffic Officers
The traffic officers ignore reckless divers and vehicles with no maintenance leading to these accidents.
The officers receive a bribe of Ksh50 just to look the other way.
Reckless Driving
The speed limit on the expressway is 80kmph, and when approaching a toll booth, the speed limit is 40kmph. Motorists speeding on the highway are one of the factors causing these accidents.
Conclusion
I wouldn’t suggest that the Mlolongo Highway has design flaws since the Westlands toll station is the same. The expressway is not a highway to death. Motorists should just follow road safety and regulations.
Speed Kills!
