A billboard erected by the Kenya National Highways Authority along the
Southern Bypass near the Lang'ata Road overpass announcing the putting
up of a toll station. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU
By KIARIE NJOROGE, gkiarie@ke.nationmedia.com
In Summary
- Transport CS James Macharia has ordered immediate suspension of the plan even as he criticised the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for rolling it out without the ministry’s approval.
- Mr Macharia described the move as an “ill-thought-out action that risked poisoning Kenyans’ minds against toll roads.”
Transport secretary James Macharia on Thursday hit
out at roads development agency KeNHA over plans to introduce user fees
on four major highways, terming the move unprocedural.
Mr Macharia ordered immediate suspension of the plan even as
he criticised the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for rolling
it out without the ministry’s approval.
He suspended the tolling plan for the
Nairobi-Nakuru, Nairobi-Mombasa, Thika Superhighway and Nairobi’s
Southern By-pass until an ongoing policy study for the plan is
completed.
KeNHA had erected billboards on the roads several
weeks ago, notifying motorists of the intention to introduce user fees
commonly known as tolls – to boost the pool of cash it is currently
collecting through fuel levy.
Mr Macharia described the move as an “ill-thought-out action that risked poisoning Kenyans’ minds against toll roads.”
“Whereas the government has proposed to develop and
maintain some roads in the country through road tolls, the said
billboards were premature and unauthorised as the government is yet to
adopt an elaborate policy on road tolling,” the minister said in a
statement.
“The ministry has as such directed the various
implementing partners to remove the said billboards, pending conclusion
of the infrastructure funding policy study, review and adoption of the
same as well as wide consultations on all key stakeholders along the
said roads.”
Mr Macharia said the action by KeNHA had the
potential of tainting a ‘noble and strategic infrastructure development
programme,’ which the government is working on to accelerate
infrastructure growth.
The suspension should come as a relief to motorists
and travellers who faced additional transport costs despite having
absorbed an increase in several other charges and are facing a 16 per
cent rise in fuel costs later in the year.
Tolling involves paying a fee usually by electronic
means (mobile money or cards) at a tolling booth for the distance that
a driver uses a specific road.
The plan has in recent weeks generated a lot of
opposition with critics arguing that it was illegal for motorists to
pay to use a road that has been developed using taxpayers’ money.
Equally, it has been pointed out that if the toll
fees are meant for maintenance of the roads, it would amount to double
taxation as motorists are already paying the Road Maintenance Levy as a
component of fuel prices.
Mr Macharia did not rule out introduction of toll
roads in the future, but insisted that this would depend on an
infrastructure funding policy to be developed by a consultant.
“The consultant has concluded this study and made
policy recommendations, which are under consideration for adoption by
the government,” he said.
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