Kenya’s Tolling Trap: A Road To Economic Ruin

Kenya’s plan to toll the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway is not just a policy misstep—it’s an economic misadventure that threatens to stifle commerce, burden citizens, and entrench inequality. The government’s push to privatize and toll this critical artery, under the guise of infrastructure development, reveals a troubling disconnect from the realities faced by ordinary Kenyans and the business community.

The Nairobi-Mombasa corridor is the lifeblood of Kenya’s economy, facilitating the movement of goods and people between the capital and the coast. Introducing tolls on this route, especially when enforced upon buses and trucks without alternative options, will inevitably escalate transportation costs. This, in turn, will inflate the prices of goods and services, disproportionately affecting small businesses and low-income households.

Moreover, the tolling initiative raises concerns about double taxation. Kenyan motorists already contribute to road maintenance through the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), which is financed by a fuel levy currently set at KSh 18 per litre. Imposing additional toll fees without reducing existing levy amounts to an unjust financial burden on citizens.

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The lack of transparency and public participation in the tolling decision-making process further exacerbates the issue. Stakeholders, including the Motorists Association of Kenya and the Matatu Welfare Association, have voiced strong opposition, citing the absence of meaningful consultations and the potential for increased operational costs.

Additionally, the government’s reliance on foreign entities to manage toll operations raises sovereignty and accountability concerns. Past experiences, such as the Nairobi Expressway operated by a Chinese firm, have shown that profits often flow out of the country, with minimal reinvestment into local communities.

The economic implications are dire. Increased transportation costs will likely lead to higher inflation, reduced consumer spending, and slowed economic growth. Small and medium-sized enterprises, already grappling with high operational costs, may find it challenging to remain competitive, leading to potential job losses and business closures.

Furthermore, the tolling strategy could exacerbate regional disparities. By making essential routes more expensive, the policy risks marginalizing communities that rely on affordable transportation for access to markets, education, and healthcare services.

The government’s justification for tolling—addressing funding shortfalls for road maintenance—overlooks alternative solutions. Enhancing efficiency in existing revenue collection, curbing corruption, and prioritizing infrastructure projects based on economic impact could provide more sustainable funding mechanisms without overburdening citizens.

Therefore, the proposed tolling of the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway is a regressive policy that threatens to undermine Kenya’s economic resilience. It is imperative for the government to reconsider this approach, engage in genuine stakeholder consultations, and explore equitable alternatives that promote inclusive growth and national development.

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