Kenyans urged to use alternative roads after toll hike

Authorities in Kenya have advised motorists to use alternative roads following complaints about increased toll charges on a major highway in the capital city.

The government has hiked fees on the Nairobi Expressway, a 27km (17-mile) highway, by up to 39 per cent.

For the most expensive route, toll charges have jumped from $2.29 (£1.80) to $3.18.

The move has sparked anger in the country. Some Kenyans have called the hikes excessive and said the new prices have been imposed without public or parliamentary approval.

The surges come amid a generally rising cost of living in Kenya. The government also increased a number of taxes and charges last year, such as the cost of obtaining documents like passports and marriage certificates.

Defending the toll increases, Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on Monday.“The adjustment was done based on the project agreement taking into account the depreciation of the Kenya shilling to the United States dollar since the time of gazettement of the toll rates in April 2022.”

The $550m (£410m) Nairobi Expressway was constructed to ease the flow of traffic amid congestion that has worsened in recent years.

The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is operating the highway under a public-private partnership and charges toll fees to recover construction costs.