Kenyans online have expressed outrage by the government decision to double the charges for using the Nairobi Expressway that will now see motorists pay a maximum of Sh500 for every transit made.
According to the new charges gazette by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, motorists will pay from the current range of Sh100 to Sh310 to a new range of Sh170 to Sh500 across all the stations from the Mlolongo-Westlands route.
The CS made the announcement vide a gazette notice dated December 31, 2023, saying the new rates take effect immediately.
CS Murkomen attributed the increase to the global dollar variation rates.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4B (3) of the Public Roads Toll Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport approves the toll rates for the Nairobi Express Way as set out in the Schedule.” The notice read in part.
“The Base Toll Rates may be adjusted as per the CPI and Exchange Rate on and after the Commercial Operation Date.” The notice added.
Kenyans termed the move as punitive.
“This is very punitive. The government should stop burdening impoverished Kenyans through hefty taxes everywhere.” Mary Atieno said.
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi posted the gazette notice on his official X handle and inscribed “criminal…mafia…al capone!”. The post reads.
In the new rates, motorists entering the Expressway on Mlolongo and exiting at the SGR station and the Eastern Bypass will be required to pay Sh250 up from the current Sh100, while those exiting at the Southern Bypass will pay Ksh.330 up from Ksh.210.
On the same route, vehicles exiting at Capital Hill and Haile Selassie stations will pay Sh410 up from Sh210.
Exits at Museum Hill, The Mall and Nairobi Westland’s terminus will attract Sh500 rate up from Sh310.
The same rates will also be applicable for motorists travelling through the opposite route from the Nairobi Westlands entry terminus to the Mlolongo exit terminus.
The shorter routes from Syokimau to the SGR station and those from SGR and the JKIA stations to the Eastern Bypass will cost motorists Sh170 up from Sh100. The same applies for the reverse routes.
The Sh87billion, 27.1-kilometer road was financed and built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation under a public-private partnership model and is ran by Moja Expressway.
The road records an average daily traffic volume of 80,000 vehicles.
