Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced an ambitious plan to introduce toll fees on different highways in the country.
Murkomen who was speaking during the the launch of the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, noted that the new system will be implemented almost in a similar way to how the Nairobi Expressway works and drivers will have to pay to use the highways.
"The template is already there with what we did we the Expressway," Murkomen made it clear.
Highways suggested by the Cabinet Secretary include Athi River-Namanga Road and Galleria-Rongai-Ngong-Karen Shopping Centre.
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Other roads included Mombasa to Malaba, Corridor C and D roads which are Museum Hill-Moyale and Sirare- Lodwar respectively, and Kiambu Road.
Murkomen noted that Kenyans will get value for their money as it will be used to maintain the roads in the country.
He added that 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.
Before rolling out the new charges, Murkomen indicated that the government will conduct public participation to avoid hitting headwinds during the implementation phase.
The CS further elaborated that once approved, the country will need approximately Ksh700 million to fit toll stations on the main highways in the country.
Murkomen defended the plan indicating that it was key to promoting sustainability in the road sector and avoiding over-reliance on loans to expand and build new highways.
At the Nairobi Expressway which Murkomen referred to, motorists pay Ksh500 from Mlolongo to Westlands. This followed an increase announced at the start of this year.
CS Murkomen attributed the increase to the global dollar variation rates.
