NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 11 – The government, through the Ministry of Roads and Transport, is seeking public input on the draft Road Tolling Policy, 2025, as the state seeks to expand and maintain the country’s road infrastructure.
The Ministry has scheduled public participation forums for purposes of gathering stakeholders views and opinions, including the public, transport operators, and industry experts, regarding the policy on February 24, 2025.
“The Ministry has scheduled a series of public consultation forums across various regions which are scheduled to commence on Monday, 24th February, 2025 to sensitize the public and obtain their views on the Draft Road Tolling Policy,” the state department revealed.
This comes after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) earlier called for tolling of certain major roads in the country to raise maintenance funds for the specific tolled highways.
The roads targeted by KeNHA for tolling include Thika Superhighway, Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, Dongo Kundu Bypass, and the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Highway.
According to KeNHA, the initiative aims to generate revenue for road infrastructure maintenance and construction.
The new toll roads law is anticipated to spark debate from Kenyans who have been opposing a raft of tax measures being proposed by the government to generate more revenue, including the fuel levy.
In November last, the Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Ainabkoi Member of Parliament Samuel Chepkong’a, approved a legal notice to raise the road maintenance levy by Sh10 to Sh28 per liter for petrol and diesel.
While concerns were raised about the impact on fuel prices, the Ministry of Roads assured that petrol and diesel prices will remain stable.
The levy, unchanged since 2016, is expected to boost funds for road maintenance, which currently generates around Sh80 billion annually.
“Considering the tough economic times, it would be inconsiderate of us to approve an order that could lead to a hike in fuel prices,” stated Chepkong’a.
