This archive report was first published on 19 October 2019.
Published on October 19, 2019, a report by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) revealed that Kenyans will pay billions of shillings to use the planned JKIA-Westlands Expressway. The Chinese firm will build and operate the road for 27 years, making Sh2 billion in 2023 and over Sh10 billion per year by 2043 through toll charges.
According to the report, saloon cars will pay Sh6 per kilometre, translating to Sh162, while trucks with four or more axles will pay Sh30 per kilometre, which could be as much as Sh800. Motorbikes and tuk-tuks will not pay to use the road.
CRBC will use Sh52 billion to construct the road and Sh25 billion to operate and maintain it over the 27-year period. By 2050, the firm will have made upwards of Sh150 billion, assuming a four per cent annual growth in revenues.
CRBC expects to make upwards of Sh10 billion per year by 2043, which will be enough to recoup the initial investment, cater for the maintenance of the road during the years, and make a handsome profit.
The JKIA-Westlands Expressway is the first major road project to be undertaken through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. A survey conducted by CRBC found that 61 per cent of respondents were willing to pay to use the Expressway, while 39 per cent said they would not.
Major roads earmarked for tolling include the planned Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, the second Nyali bridge, the Nairobi Mau Summit Road, the Nairobi Southern Bypass, and Thika Road.
