Business, Investment & infrastructure
Kenya National Highways Authority( Kenha) Director- General Peter Mundinia said that the roads placed under tolling will be beneficial to everyone since the funds will now be diverted to developing roads in other parts of the country.
Matatu Owner Association Chairman Simon Kimutai supports the installation of the toll stations noting that if properly utilised, the revenue collected will ensure the roads are bound to be in great shape.
“ If it is copied from the best practices like in the US, then, all our roads will be in great shape. The cost of maintaining vehicles is very high and this idea is commendable,” Kimutai said.
Kimutai said that it was better to pay the toll fee and have smooth roads.
“ There is value addition here and we have struggled with the conditions of the roads for a very long time. If the money is put to good use, we will all benefit,” he added.
The Mombasa-Nairobi section of the highway will have five toll stations, including( at Mariakani and the Machakos turn-off), while Rironi, Naivasha and Lanet will host three on the Nairobi-Nakuru road.
When tolling was first proposed four years ago, it was planned that motorists would be charged at the rate of Sh1.20 per kilometre for passenger cars and Sh1.79 for pick-ups and matatus.
Buses were to part with Sh2.39 per kilometre, medium trucks Sh2.39 and large trucks Sh3.59.
Roads tolls were initially introduced in Kenya in the late 1980s, but were scrapped in the mid-1990s in favour of the Roads Maintenance Levy to eliminate corruption at the toll stations.
Nairobi city roads expansion set for completion in December
By Safari Njema Reporter
Nairobi roads are known for knotty traffic jams that last hours leading to loss of time and revenue to the city dwellers.
Still, 60 per cent of the country’ s Gross Domestic Product( GDP) is generated here and the government has embarked on a mission to upgrade roads in the city.
Early this year, Infrastructure Principal Secretary( PS) John Mosonik said the government would have completed the expansion of Outering and Ngong roads by December.
Ngong Road
20 September 2017