Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has announced that he will oppose plans by President William Ruto’s government to introduce tolls on various roads across the country.
In a speech on Sunday, August 18, 2024, Kalonzo rebuked the Kenyan Kwanza Palace government, insisting that it cannot impose tolls on roads it did not build.
Kalonzo argued that plans to force motorists to pay a toll to use the Thika Super Highway were contrary to the reasons why the late Mwai Kibaki’s government built the road.
Kalonzo, who served in Kibaki’s government, explained that the Thika Super Highway was not only designed to facilitate transportation but also to enable faster transportation of agricultural produce from various areas near the city.
The co-director of Azimio la Umoja therefore called on President Ruto to build new roads and then introduce tolls.
Kalonzo, who was accompanied by other Azimio leaders, said he would lobby MPs to reject the move if it was passed by Parliament.
“We know these people are desperate. They can’t wait to loot people’s pockets again. I know they want to introduce tolls. I want to say to Ruto and his people: if you want to introduce tolls again, go and build your own roads, not the ones that Kibaki and Uhuru (Kenyatta) built,” Kalonzo said.
“So if you introduce toll on the Thika Super Highway, you are looting the pockets of the people. We will reject that,” he insisted.
Toll plan
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is proposing to introduce tolls on some of the country’s major roads, despite President William Ruto’s election campaign promise not to introduce such charges.
If this scheme is implemented, motorists will have to pay tolls on the Thika Superhighway, the Southern Bypass, the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit, the Dongo Kundu Bypass and the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road.
However, the authority promised to conduct extensive public participation before introducing a toll policy in the country.
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1/3 In the future, if a tolling policy is adopted following public participation and tolls are successfully collected on a number of projects, the Authority will use the revenue from such tolls to maintain the same roads. pic.twitter.com/LK00Ewp3Fz— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) 13 August 2024
“The authority assures the public that this policy is being developed with full public participation to ensure that all voices are heard. Once the policy is finalised, it will determine which roads will be tolled,” KeNHA said.
According to KeNHA, if the toll policy is introduced, the money collected would help repay loans used to finance major road construction projects.
“This will free up funds raised through road tax to build new roads, expanding our network and improving connectivity across the country. With this approach, KeNHA is committed to creating a safer and more efficient road system for all Kenyans,” it said.
The Nairobi Expressway is an example of a toll road in the country.
