The Motorists Association of Kenya has launched a petition to stop the planned expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway that connects Nairobi and Nakuru cities.
The Association on Thursday, August 21, developed an online website designed to facilitate objections to the government's plan to construct and toll the highway.
According to the motorists, the decision by President William Ruto's administration to build the highway through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and later toll it was unfair.
They argued that the move to introduce tolling along the route shifts the burden of infrastructure financing to ordinary citizens, a mandate that they claim belongs to the government.
The website contains a petition form which allows an individual to share their input and their details such as their first and last name, telephone number and email.
While announcing the launch of the petition, the motorists alleged a scheme by the National Treasury and the Ministry of Transport to table a bill that would guide the imposition of toll fees on major national roads, including the new highways.
The motorists claimed that the introduction of tolls on major roads would amount to double taxation since drivers already pay the Road Maintenance Levy Fund.
"Parliament has directed the Treasury, the Ministry of Transport and the Attorney-General to urgently table a Bill that will guide the imposition of toll fees on major national roads and the establishment of a toll fund," the motorists stated.
"Toll roads were replaced by Road Maintenance Levy Fund, which was raised to sh18 in 24 months. Paying Tolls to Private Public Partnerships Schemes would be double taxation," they added.
In their statement, the Motorists Association also opposed the construction of the Nairobi-Mombasa expressway through PPP. According to them, Ksh5000 as toll fees for motorists using the new expressway would be overwhelming.
They claim the money raised from tolling the Nairobi-Mombasa expressway would only profit private companies instead of the ordinary Kenyans.
"Toll fees cannot be imposed on public space or existing roads funded by taxpayers. Who gives their gateway to 30 years of foreign control?" they questioned.
