4 Vehicle Categories Exempted From Paying Toll Fees On Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway

The Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) has announced that at least four types of vehicles will be exempt from paying toll fees on the upcoming Rironi–Mau Summit Highway.

In a statement released on Sunday, October 26, the directorate specified that ambulances, military and police vehicles, as well as local traffic belonging to residents living along the route, will either be charged lower toll rates or fully exempted.

It also clarified that toll rates on the highway will not be permanently fixed but will instead be periodically reviewed to reflect prevailing economic conditions.

A toll station along the Nairobi Expressway. /NAIROBI EXPRESSWAY

“Tolling applies to new or substantially upgraded highways that carry high volumes of passenger and freight traffic and corridors vital to trade and connectivity,” the directorate stated.

“Each project follows a structured process: feasibility appraisal, environmental and social assessment, public participation, competitive procurement, and final approval by the PPP Committee,” it added.

The clarification follows recent outrage after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) disclosed a proposal to charge motorists Ksh8 per kilometre to use the new expressway.

According to KeNHA, the 175-kilometre road will have eight toll stations and operate under an open tolling system, meaning drivers will pay based on the distance travelled.

The proposed base rate of Ksh8 per kilometre was put forward by the consortium of China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Board of Trustees — the firms selected as the project’s Preferred Proponent.

“Based on comparative assessment, the Evaluation Committee concluded that China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) & National Social Security Fund Trustees (NSSF) align with the Contracting Authority’s Output Specifications and PPP Act Cap 430 requirements with a proposed toll rate of Ksh8 per Km with a 1 per cent escalation rate per annum,” the authority stated.

The Rironi–Mau Summit Highway will include 15 interchanges, eight footbridges, 25 kilometres of service lanes, eight wildlife crossings, 41 U-turns, 41 underpasses, and 118 bus bays.

The PPP Directorate noted that tolling is essential for effective traffic management and road maintenance, ultimately helping reduce vehicle operating costs.

It further explained that funds collected through tolls will also finance 24-hour patrols, road lighting, and emergency response or paramedic services along the corridor.

The construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit Road has faced delays in recent years, including the termination of a contract previously awarded to a French company. Following the cancellation, the government shifted its focus to securing funding from China to proceed with the project.