Kenya’s motorists might soon have to pay to use more of the country’s roads if a new policy from the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) gains approval. The Road Tolling Policy, currently in the discussion phase, outlines which roads will become tolled, indicating a significant shift in Kenya’s infrastructure financing and maintenance approach.

Among the roads proposed for tolling are several major routes, including the Thika Superhighway, Nairobi Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, Mombasa Southern Bypass, and the recently opened Dongo Kundu Bypass.

In a statement released on Tuesday, KeNHA emphasized the importance of public involvement in the policy’s development, noting, “The Kenya National Highways Authority appreciates the ongoing discussion around the development of a Road Tolling Policy. The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard.”

Currently, the Nairobi Expressway is the only tolled road in the country. Operated by the Moja Expressway Company, it costs road users between Ksh.120 and Ksh.360 to travel the 27-kilometre stretch connecting Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi’s Westlands, featuring 11 entry and exit points. Since its opening, the expressway has seen significant use, with over 10 million trips made in the first seven months, generating Ksh.2 billion in revenue according to Moja CEO Steve Zhao.

The Kenyan government is also advancing plans to build a six-lane Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to just 4.5 hours. During a state visit to the United States, President William Ruto secured a Ksh.463 billion agreement for the 440-kilometre road’s construction, which will also include toll fees.

This new tolling strategy reflects a broader trend in infrastructure funding, shifting towards user-based fees to enhance road maintenance and expand the transportation network efficiently.