Gov’t Revives Plans To Toll Thika Superhighway, Four Other Roads
Following a recent court order, the government’s Ministry of Transport has renewed plans to toll major routes around the country.
The new development comes after a meeting between Transport Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua and the Technical Working Group entrusted with executing the draft National Tolling Policy.
PS Mbugua met with the team on Tuesday at noon to develop an urgent rollout plan for public engagement.
Gov't Revives Plans to Toll Thika Superhighway & 4 Major Roads
— Kawangware Finest ™ (Geoffrey Moturi) (@cbs_ke) February 4, 2025
The Transport Ministry has restarted plans to introduce toll fees on Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Southern Bypass, Dongo Kundu Bypass, and Kenol-Mau Summit Road after a recent court ruling. pic.twitter.com/ygxIzuAjrs
Mbugua stated that the Technical Working Group had made progress in preparing for statewide public involvement, which had been temporarily suspended by the High Court in Nairobi last year.
In August of last year, the High Court temporarily halted the government’s proposal to implement a Road Tolling Policy on major routes throughout the country.
Tolls were halted on several important roadways, including the Mombasa Southern Bypass, the Thika Superhighway, the Dogo Kundu Bypass, and the Kenol-Mau Summit Road.
While issuing the orders, Justice Chacha Mwita directed the petitioners to serve the respondents with the pleas.
The judge proceeded to grant the respondents seven days to file their applications.
The court orders were issued in response to a case brought by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK), which sought to halt the process by suing the Technical Working Group and the Kenya National Highways Authority.
“In the meantime, a conservatory order is issued restraining the respondents, their agents and servants from implementing the proposed tolling of the five roads,” Justice Mwita ruled.
However, on January 21, this year, the High Court issued an order stating that COFEK’s appeal did not prevent or impact public participation or stakeholder engagement in the National Tolling Policy.
During the recent verdict, KeNHA pledged to hold extensive public consultations to allow Kenyans to provide feedback and assist the Authority in making informed choices.
1/3 The Kenya National Highways Authority appreciates the ongoing discussion around the development of a Road Tolling Policy.
— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) August 13, 2024
The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard. pic.twitter.com/sRtYnQtFV6
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Tolls on the five major highways were first announced in March last year by former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who outlined the government’s plan to collect additional income through the tolling system.
The former CS informed Kenyans that the government was facing a multibillion-dollar financing shortage for important government programs.
This, in turn, forced the government to develop the upgraded tolling system.
Murkomen’s declaration sparked outrage among Kenyans, particularly motorists who promised to hold protests against the government’s plan.
Gov’t Revives Plans To Toll Thika Superhighway, Four Other Roads
