The Kenya National Highways Authority’s (KenHA) announcement of a public participation process for the planned introduction of toll charges in major highways across Kenya has reignited conversations about double taxation.
- In a statement on their X account, KeNHA has slated Thika Superhighway, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, and the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway as potential candidates for tolling.
- Other highways under consideration include the Nairobi Southern bypass, Mombasa Southern Bypass, and the newly-completed Dongo Kundu Bypass.
- The plan to toll more roads was hinted at earlier this year during the launch of KeNHA’s strategic plan, the former Cabinet Secretary for Transport Kipchumba Murkomen citing the need to ramp up revenue for road maintenance.
“The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard. Once the Policy is finalised, it will guide which roads will be tolled. KeNHA remains committed to transparency and inclusivity throughout this process and will continue to engage with the public at every stage,” KeNHA stated.
Why it Matters
Currently, only the Nairobi Expressway from Westlands to Mlolongo is tolled for the general public. On January 1, the government hiked Nairobi Expressway tolls by 30% in all stations, citing the depreciation of the Kenya Shilling.
During the campaign trail in 2022, President William Ruto said that his government would slash toll charges but after encountering a cash crunch, his government rescinded that plan. The road maintenance backlog as of 2022 stood at about KSh 727 billion, according to former Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, as he tried to justify these increased costs motorists would encounter.
The plan to toll more roads continues to face controversy because the road maintenance levy on fuel is likely to be retained. EPRA recently hiked the levy from KSh 18 to KSh 25, disregarding public uproar.
“You are deducting Kes 25 per litre of fuel and still want to put toll stations on roads funded by the road development levy. This will be double taxation, stop the greed for cash people are suffering outside here,” a Kenyan complained on X (formerly Twitter).
The plan to toll major roads while maintaining fuel levy may significantly lead to accompanying price hikes in food and other commodities. The government may also fail to collect their projected revenues as motorists shun these costs by reducing the regularity of their travels.
