The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has explained the rationale behind proposing toll fees on major roads withing the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 13, KeNHA emphasized that the policy will be developed following extensive public participation to ensure that all stakeholders have a chance to contribute their views.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority appreciates the ongoing discussion around the development of a Road Tolling Policy,” the statement read in part.
“The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard.”
KeNHA stated that if the tolling policy is approved and a number of projects are successfully tolled, it will allocate the revenue generated from these road tolls specifically for the maintenance of the same roads.
KeNHA Lists Reason for Introduction of Tolls
The authority also mentioned that the toll fees will contribute to repaying loans used for the construction of some of the roads.
“Additionally, these toll fees will contribute to the repayment of loans used to fund major road projects, supporting our long-term financial sustainability, like the loan that built Dongo Kundu ByPass,” KeNHA said.
Also Read: Motorists Oppose Proposed Toll Fees on Newly Opened Road
Furthermore, the authority said that the revenue collected from road levies will be used to construct new roads, expand existing networks, and improve connectivity across the country.
“Through this approach, KeNHA is committed to creating a safer, more efficient road system for all Kenyans,” it said.
According to KeNHA, roads that will be presented for consideration include Thika Superhighway, Nairobi Southern Bypass, and Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway.
Other roads that will be considered for the proposal include Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, Mombasa Southern Bypass and the newly opened Dongo Kundu Bypass.
Currently, the Nairobi Expressway is the only tolled road in Kenya. Managed by the Moja Expressway Company.
Road users pay between Ksh120 and Ksh360 to use the 27-kilometer stretch that connects Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi’s Westlands.
Also Read: KeNHA Lists Roads Kenyans Will Pay to Use in New Proposal
Motorist Oppose Toll Fees
Earlier, on August 11, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) urged the public to reject plans for toll fees on publicly funded roads, particularly the Dongo Kundu bypass in Mombasa.
The association further argued that such fees would unfairly burden taxpayers who financed the bypass’s construction, emphasizing that imposing tolls on roads built with public funds would amount to double taxation.
“Turning the publicly funded Dongo Kundu Bypass into a toll road is an unjust imposition on taxpayers. Kenyans have already financed its construction!” read the statement.
“Join the Motorists Association to oppose this Coast discriminative move, as we successfully did for Thika Road, the Southern Bypass, and the Nyali Bridge. Say no to illegal toll roads,” the statement further reads.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
