The Nairobi Nakuru highway expansion, one of Kenya’s largest infrastructure projects, has encountered major resistance from motorists. The project, valued at approximately Ksh 190 billion, was signed in 2020 during a state visit to Paris by then President Uhuru Kenyatta. It is designed as a Public Private Partnership, with Vinci Highways and its partners responsible for design, funding, and construction. The scope involves upgrading a 140 kilometre single carriageway into a multi-lane highway. Once completed, the road is expected to improve connectivity between Nairobi and Nakuru, easing congestion and boosting movement of goods within the Rift Valley corridor. This would be a major development for logistics and construction sectors, with heavy equipment and material supply chains likely to benefit from improved efficiency.
However, the financing model has sparked debate. The Motorists Association of Kenya has launched an online petition to stop the plan, arguing that toll charges will impose an unfair burden on citizens. They view the charges as double taxation, since motorists already contribute to the Road Maintenance Levy Fund. The association points to similar concerns raised with the Nairobi Mombasa expressway, where proposed toll fees were seen as excessive. In their view, such fees would benefit private concessionaires at the expense of road users. Parliament has now directed the Treasury, the Ministry of Transport, and the Attorney General to prepare a bill to guide tolling and establish a national toll fund.
For now, the future of the Nairobi Nakuru highway expansion remains uncertain. While the project promises modern infrastructure and economic growth, the ongoing pushback highlights the need for balance between public interest and the financing strategies behind large scale construction projects. Read the full article here.