The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has identified inadequate funding as a major factor slowing the expansion of key highways, including the Mombasa‑Nairobi corridor.

KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli told Citizen TV that the agency faces competition from other government sectors when seeking funds, limiting the pace of planned improvements.

Kimeli highlighted that dualling more than 2,500 kilometres of roads could cut accident rates, especially on high‑risk sections such as the Mombasa‑Nairobi highway.

The Mombasa‑Nairobi highway, identified as a frequent site of fatal crashes, is slated for dualling to improve safety, but progress is hampered by the funding challenge.

KeNHA’s Director of Development, Henry Gakuru, added that terrain and design issues also contribute to accidents, prompting the agency to consider speed‑calming measures at blackspots.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) disagrees that road condition alone drives accidents, citing vehicle condition, driver behaviour and post‑crash response as additional factors.

NTSA noted that it has audited sections of major highways and recommended dualling, but implementation by responsible agencies remains pending.

Motorists have raised concerns about inadequate signage, stalled trucks, unmarked speed bumps and risky driving on routes including Nairobi‑Nakuru, Nakuru‑Eldoret and Mombasa‑Nairobi.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir affirmed that the government is prioritising funding for the Nairobi‑Mombasa road and other accident hotspots as part of broader safety measures.