The Ministry of Roads and Transport, under the leadership of Principal Secretary Eng. Joseph Mbugua, has announced its decision to proceed with the implementation of the Road Tolling Policy as a means of funding the maintenance and development of major highways. While the policy has faced significant public scrutiny, the government has assured citizens that the toll fees will remain affordable and that all collected revenues will be reinvested in improving the country’s road infrastructure.
Following a public participation exercise held from February 24 to March 10, 2025, the Ministry of Roads and Transport confirmed on Thursday that the tolling charges will be carefully structured to avoid imposing an excessive financial burden on motorists. Despite persistent concerns raised by the public, authorities have clarified that there are no plans to halt the rollout of the policy, which is viewed as a crucial step in sustaining road infrastructure development in the country.
Under the proposed policy, various road categories will be subjected to toll charges. This includes newly constructed highways, upgraded roads, and those deemed to offer a higher level of service compared to untolled alternatives. Notably, motorists will be required to pay toll fees on these roads even if alternative toll-free routes are unavailable. The government has identified key roads that will be affected by this policy, including the Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Southern Bypass, Dongo Kundu Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, and Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road. These highways are considered critical in reducing congestion, facilitating trade, and enhancing connectivity across different regions of the country.
Despite the government’s assurances, many Kenyans remain concerned about the economic impact of tolling. The main worries revolve around a possible rise in transportation costs, increased financial pressure on commuters and businesses, and disparities in regional accessibility. Some critics argue that tolling will disproportionately affect low-income earners who rely on major roads for daily transportation. Others question the transparency and accountability of the revenue management process, fearing that funds collected from tolls may not be used effectively to maintain road quality.
In response to these concerns, the government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring affordability and has proposed launching pilot tolling projects before rolling out the program nationwide. Authorities maintain that road tolling is essential for generating sustainable revenue for infrastructure projects, particularly in the face of rising government debt. National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently revealed that the government had acquired a loan of Sh60 billion to settle outstanding infrastructure-related bills, in addition to owing Sh175 billion to road contractors.
As part of efforts to enhance road funding, the government has also increased the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) from Sh18 to Sh25 per litre of fuel. This move is expected to generate approximately Sh115 billion annually, which will be used to finance road development and maintenance projects.
While the final approval for the Road Tolling Policy is expected by March 31, the debate over its implications continues. Whether these government assurances will effectively address public concerns remains uncertain, but the authorities are determined to implement tolling as a long-term revenue model for road infrastructure financing.
