Thika Superhighway among major roads lined up for toll stations – KeNHA announces

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has unveiled plans to introduce toll stations on several major highways that are presently being considered.

Among the roads listed on Tuesday for consideration for tolling include the Nairobi Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, Thika Superhighway, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, Mombasa Southern Bypass, Dongo Kundu Bypass and others.

The authority noted that discussions are ongoing and emphasised that public consultation will be a key part of the process before final decisions are made.

“The Kenya National Highways Authority appreciates the ongoing discussion around the development of a Road Tolling Policy. The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard,” Kenha said.

It emphasised that it remains committed to transparency and inclusivity throughout the process and will continue to engage with the public at every stage.

“Once the Policy is finalised, it will guide which roads will be tolled,” the authority said.

In March of this year, former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen proposed legislation to install toll stations on new highways, to collect cash to allow the government to maintain existing roads and build new ones.

Murkomen argued that the government is struggling with a huge infrastructural project financing gap running into billions of shillings. He also noted that the government is also struggling with pending bills amounting to Sh150 billion for completed projects.

He said the bill would help in generating money to fund infrastructure projects outlined by the Roads Ministry.

“I will be coming back here with a tolling bill to be presented in Parliament for approval. We will want Parliament to pass legislation to enable the major roads to generate money to enable us to expand the roads,” Murkomen now the Sports CS said.

He however said individuals will have to pay fees to use the roads while those unwilling will have to utilise alternative routes available to reach their destinations.

He emphasised that the actualisation of the proposal would ensure the delivery of what he termed as cutting-edge infrastructure projects. He also reiterated that revenue generated from tolls can supplement government budgets and enable agencies to invest more in infrastructure without relying only on budgetary allocations.