This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
On June 24, 2020, the National Assembly approved a law allowing for road tolling in Kenya, marking a significant step towards efficient transportation in the country.
The law, which was contained in the recommendation on the Finance Bill 2020, will enable the government to enter into public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks for road development projects.
According to David Pkosing, Chairman of the National Assembly Transport and Public Works Committee, the passage of the law will allow private investors to pump their resources into road development projects, with the option to recoup their investments through toll charges.
“The thinking in coming up with the Nairobi Express Way from Mlolongo to James Gichuru is to allow private investors pump their money then allow them recoup their investment by collecting toll charges,” said Pkosing.
The Nairobi Expressway, which will run from Mlolongo to James Gichuru Road in Westland, will charge motorists Sh300 to bypass the ever-busy Uhuru Highway. A similar model is planned for the Limuru – Mau Summit Road project, aimed at reducing traffic congestion along the route.
“We are losing about Sh50 million per day because of traffic jam. If you calculate, someone spends about 40 minutes to fly from Eldoret to Nairobi but end up spending more than three hours to move from the airport to Nairobi’s Central Business Centre (CBD),” said Pkosing.
The government hopes that the introduction of road tolling will reduce the time spent by motorists on roads and improve the country’s transport sector.
