MORE TAXES: Gov't Unveils Plan To Toll Highways Nationwide

MORE TAXES: Gov’t Unveils Plan To Toll Highways Nationwide

The Ministry of Transport has revealed intentions to impose tolls on all highways in the country.

Initially, in August 2024, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) proposed tolling only a few important roadways. However, the Ministry has enlarged the proposal to include the entire road network.

At a press event on Thursday, February 20, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir welcomed Kenyans to engage in public consultations and assured them that their feedback would be taken into account in the final decision.

The CS has encouraged Kenyans to express their opinions through public involvement beginning Monday, February 24, 2025.

The Cabinet Secretary Davis ChirChir earlier today officiated the launch of the National Tolling Policy draft at a stakeholders forum gearing up for public participation forums next week. He was accompanied by the PS Roads Eng. Joseph Mbugua, Ag. DG PPP Ms. Neala Wanjala and the… pic.twitter.com/EQ46nvkNgy
— Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) (@KeRRA_Ke) February 20, 2025

According to the Ministry, the new Draft Tolling Policy, which is now being discussed, wants to implement tolls on all roadways nationally as part of a larger effort to bridge infrastructure budget gaps.

The Ministry explained in the policy, which was released in February 2025, that the toll system was already successfully deployed on the Nairobi Expressway.

As a result, such initiatives must be undertaken through public-private partnerships.

The ministry claims that tolling is necessary because low-quality transportation infrastructure is a major restraint on Kenya’s economic potential.

“In that regard, and noting that the transport infrastructure is capital intensive, this Policy is an important tool developed to provide a stream of additional funds directly from the road users cost-effectively and equitably,” the policy reads in part.

Unlike past tolling models, there will be no toll-free alternate routes, thus all users must pay.

“Roads, where tolls are collected, will not be required to have dedicated toll-free alternative routes,” the draft policy continues.

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The ministry’s new policy will require Kenyans to pay to use all highways.

The prices will vary based on the costs of creating, maintaining, and rehabilitating the road network, as well as the findings of a user survey.

According to the ministry, the monies raised will be used to fund essential road projects such as the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit route and the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway.

The Cabinet Secretary in charge of highways will evaluate the toll policy every ten years after it goes into effect.

MORE TAXES: Gov’t Unveils Plan To Toll Highways Nationwide