The Treasury has rejected a proposal by the US-based infrastructure firm Everstrong Capital for the 440-kilometre Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway project, which was intended to link Kenya’s two largest cities with a modern highway.

According to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the bid fell short of several key benchmarks set by the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Committee, prompting officials to request that the company review and resubmit its plans rather than face outright disqualification.

The revision will see the original plan for a new expressway scrapped in favour of expanding the existing Nairobi–Mombasa highway.

With this change in scope, the development effectively signals the end of what had been set to become Africa’s largest toll road and one of the most ambitious US-backed infrastructure projects on the continent.

The decision comes just two months after Everstrong Capital, led by Senior Advisor Kyle McCarter, submitted a 2,300-page feasibility study report to KeNHA for review.

“The PPP Committee of the National Treasury and Economic Planning delivered its decision during its 54th Ordinary PPP Committee meeting held on July 2, 2025,” KeNHA stated.

“It was determined that the proposal does not meet the relevant criteria and s

While the current proposal has been rejected, KeNHA has invited Everstrong Capital to restructure the project to meet the required standards, specifically by focusing on upgrading the existing highway rather than building an entirely new road.

The proposed expressway, aimed at easing traffic congestion, reducing travel time between Kenya’s capital and its main port city, and boosting trade along the Northern Corridor, has been a priority project for Nairobi for several years.

The revised proposal may be resubmitted for fresh consideration by the PPP Committee in accordance with Section 43 of the PPP Act.

KeNHA confirmed the PPP Committee’s decision followed a detailed review of the project’s technical and financial viability during its July meeting.