Kenyans will be forced to part with between Sh1,458 and Sh7,290 to use the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road when the new policy by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) will be effected.
When adopted, the toll charges will make Kenyaβs highways among the most expensive to ride on in the world, alongside European countries that, however, enjoy cross-border highways.
According to Business Daily, the highways’ authority recommended that high-capacity vehicles like transit lorries pay Sh30 per kilometre, while low-capacity vehicles like saloon cars will pay Sh6 per kilometre on the 243km stretch.
Motorists to pay between Ksh1,458 and Ksh7,290 to use Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit expressway; KeNHA recommends saloon cars pay Ksh6 per km while lorries pay Ksh30 per to use the 243km stretch. Motorists will pay same charges to use JKIA to Westlands expressway measuring 18.5km. pic.twitter.com/tVvhhnWXhb
β David Maina Ndung’uπ°πͺ (@ItsDavidMaina) July 30, 2019
This means that heavy vehicles will pay up to over Sh7,000 which will consequently raise the cost of doing business and eventually lead to increased prices of goods and services.
In addition, motorists will pay between Sh111 and Sh557 to use the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Westlands expressway that starts at Mlolongo and terminates in Westlands.
The introduction of toll roads will be done through a public- private partnership plan (PPP) with Nairobi-Mombasa highway, Thika super highway, Nairobiβs Southern bypass and a second Nyali bridge in Mombasa also targeted.
Advertisement of upcoming toll station along Southern Bypass, Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy
“The first in line and whose procurement has progressed well are Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau summit Expressway and Nairobi Expressway (JKIA to James Gichuru Road). Others will come after evaluating the success of the above two,β KeNHA director-general Peter Mundinia told BD.
Four provisional tolling station have already been recommened: one after the Rironi interchange, a second one on A8 South (along Naivasha-Mai Mahiu), the third at the Gilgil weighbridge and the last one at Salgaa.
According to reports, the toll fees will add to the Sh18 per kilometre fuel levy currently charged for maintaining Kenyaβs roads.
Road tolls were first introduced in late 1980s then scrapped in mid 1990s to pave way for road maintenance levy, which is currently attached to the retail price of fuel.
The move has been highly criticized by Kenyans with some offering alternative routes to avoid the toll stations.
We pay fuel levy for road construction and maintainance.
Then we pay taxes for roads construction
Then we pay road toll to drive from Nairobi to Nakuru.β Julius Okara (@okarajulius) July 30, 2019
Ujinga iko kwa hii nchi ππΎββοΈ
β MuGun πππ°πͺ (@mugunjm) July 29, 2019
Bribing your government to use a road they constructed through your taxes. Interesting times…..
β Ernest (@ernest_miano) July 29, 2019
09:51 How not to pay Nairobi Nakuru highway Toll. Drive all the way to Thika and use Kamae road hadi flyover, use Njabini Olkalou Ndondori road. via @OptaHos
β Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) July 30, 2019