Motorists planning to use the new four-lane Nairobi-Nakuru highway will be forced to pay toll fees for the next 30 years, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has revealed.
KeNHA on Tuesday, May 27, provided full disclosure of the project implementation process, paving the way for the construction of the 175-kilometre Rironi-Mau Summit highway.
The Authority said that the road would be constructed by private contractors through the Public-Private Proposal (PPP), with KeNHA adding that the road would traverse the counties of Kiambu, Nyandarua and Nakuru.
Upon completion, Kenyans would be required to pay to use the highway, with the rates to be determined in line with the National Tolling Policy. According to KeNHA, the escalation of toll rates would be done as per the policy.
"The PPP Act 2021 allows the private sector to participate in the design, financing, construction, equipping, operations and maintenance and transfer of infrastructure," KeNHA announced.
According to KeNHA, the expansion of the road would help address several issues, including the long-standing traffic congestion and safety concerns arising from design issues, driver behaviour and climatic conditions.
In the notice, the Authority also revealed that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had already conducted the Environmental and Impact Assessment (EIA) study, with documents available for members of the public.
On land acquisition, KeNHA noted that land had already been acquired, and any additional land necessitated by final design requirements would be mapped and acquired in line with applicable law.
The update comes a fortnight after President William Ruto directed contractors to commence the construction of the highway from July 1, 2025.
The Head of State, who spoke on May 15, said the dualing of the road would commence in the next two months to enhance the safety of the travellers and facilitate easier movement of people and goods.
Ruto's directive followed weeks after he inked a deal with the Chinese government for the expansion of the busy route. Ruto signed the deal during his state visit to China in April this year.
He reached an agreement with China after cancelling a similar deal with French contractors who had been hired by former President Uhuru Kenyatta's government to expand the road.
In March this year, Ruto's administration, through KeNHA, cancelled a Ksh190 billion deal for the construction of the highway following a disagreement with the French contractors over the terms of the agreement.
