The authority listed the Nairobi Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway and Thika Superhighway as roads that are being eyed for tolling.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Tuesday, August 13 revealed that talks had begun to introduce tolls on six major highways across the country.
In a statement, the authority listed the Nairobi Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway and Thika Superhighway as roads that are being eyed for tolling.
Others include the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, Mombasa Southern Bypass and Dongo Kundu Bypass. KeNHA added that more highways would be listed.
The authority expressed its appreciation for the ongoing discussion around the development of a Road Tolling Policy, and assured members of the public that the policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard.
A toll station along the Nairobi Expressway. /NAIROBI EXPRESSWAY
“Once the Policy is finalized, it will guide which roads will be tolled. Some of the critical roads that will be presented for consideration include the Nairobi Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, Thika Superhighway, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, Mombasa Southern Bypass, Dongo Kundu Bypass, among others,” KeNHA stated.
“KeNHA remains committed to transparency and inclusivity throughout this process and will continue to engage with the public at every stage.”
The proposal could see those highways join the likes of Nairobi Expressway which already has a toll system in place whereby motorists pay fees to use the multi-billion road running from James Gichuru Road in Lavington to Mlolongo, Machakos County.
Back in February, Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen, who was on the Transport docket then, had announced it would cost Ksh700 million to install toll stations on major highways, a move he argued would raise funds for the construction and maintenance of roads in Kenya.
The CS, who is now in charge of the Sports Ministry, had listed Athi River-Namanga Road and Galleria-Rongai-Ngong-Karen Shopping Centre among roads that would be subjected to the tolling system.
Other roads included Mombasa to Malaba, Corridor C and D roads which are Museum Hill-Moyale and Sirare- Lodwar respectively and Kiambu Road.
“The Public-Private Partnership model remains our key strategy in delivering cutting-edge infrastructural projects. We must find ways of tolling our main highways and transferring the benefits to Kenyans.
“Properly delivered tolled roads will save Kenyans time and fuel. A healthier society can be nurtured by building quality infrastructure, and we shall be innovative in delivering this,” said Murkomen.
The CS stressed the government’s commitment to raising alternative funds to facilitate the improvement of road networks across the country. Furthermore, the proposal would boost the overall plan of constructing over 2,000 kilometres across the country.
“We will make sure that, from all those tolled roads, the resources are transferred back to the people of Kenya by giving them quality roads,” Murkomen stated, adding that the government would spend an average of Ksh700 million to install the new toll stations across the major roads.
However, the proposal was met with criticism led by Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, who accused President William Ruto’s government of not constructing roads with taxpayers’ money compared to previous governments and instead resorting to taxing motorists already using the major highways.
KeNHA’s latest proposal will enrage Kenyan motorists who had just celebrated the opening of the Dongo Kundu Bypass. Offering an alternative to the Likoni Ferry for travellers going to the South Coast, the road cuts trips between Mombasa and Diani from up to three hours to just 20 minutes.
