The motorists using Nairobi Expressway will only pay using cash and electronic card payment and will not be allowed to use M-Pesa.
The Highway operators arrived at this decision following a bid to decongest the tolling points.
The operators foresee a situation where traffic congestion can be caused by the authentication of mobile transactions.
“M-Pesa payment would result in traffic congestion at tolling points,” a spokesperson of Moja Expressway told a local daily, “It is still in consideration. It will be there in the future.”
The Expressway stretches from Mlolongo to James Gichuru. It will be operated by Moja Expressway, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) which designed, financed and constructed the road.
The road is set for opening on 14th of May 2022.
Although the road shall be opened on a trial basis the company managing the highway has given an initial discount of a minimum of Sh2000 as an incentive.
Kenya National Highway Authority deputy director for corporate communication Samwel Kumba indicated that drivers using the Electronic Toll Cards will get a five per cent discount.
With every Sh2,000 loaded in the electronic toll card a 5 per cent discount will be realised. For the manual toll card users, a two percent discount for every Sh2,000 loaded on their cards will be realised.
“The discount on both electronic and manual toll cards applies for as long as you are using the road at least for now.
However, you must load your card with a minimum of Sh2,000 points,” Kenya National Highway Authority deputy director for corporate communication Samwel Kumba said.
To register a manual tolling card, you will need a national ID card, Sh300 installation service charge and at least Sh1,000 must be loaded in points.
For the electronic tolling card, you need an ID, the logbook of the vehicle being registered and Sh1,000 installation service charge.
“Road users can also pay via cash to use the road depending on the size of the vehicle,” he added.
Boda bodas and tuk-tuks will remain banned on the Nairobi Expressway.