Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has received another blow with the planned expansion of the Rironi–Mau Summit Expressway after the residents of Naivasha protested against tolling of the road.
The highway connecting Nairobi and Nakuru will be constructed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) where drivers will pay toll charges for the road for 30 years.
During a public sensitisation session held in Nakuru County on Thursday, September 4, residents of Naivasha complained about the imposition of toll fees and instead asked KeNHA to provide an alternative route to passengers who do not wish to pay the toll.
Among them was a former Member of County Assembly (MCA), who rallied residents against any plan to have charges to access the highway.
The MCA labelled the imposition of the tolls as double taxation, arguing that motorists are already paying towards a fuel levy that is used in the construction and maintenance of other roads.
At an audience with KeNHA officials, residents requested the authority to consider constructing a footbridge over the new highway so that school children can cross over safely.
They also called on KeNHA to build service lanes to allow the residents of slums along the highway to access their homes more easily.
Acting on concerns, KeNHA officials stated that design stages for road expansion go on after a feasibility study which confirmed that the road has to be upgraded.
The KeNHA director also revealed that two Chinese companies have already made offers to do the expansion works on the highway and already mapped out areas that need three or four lanes.
He also confirmed that they are already collecting public opinion from residents along the highway, mentioning that all views will be incorporated in the final design and, in addition, the toll plaza location.
This comes a week after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi had announced that the expansion of the highway was to begin before the end of this year.
According to the CS who spoke to the country on Friday, August 29, in an interview on Citizen TV, Mbadi stated that negotiations for the expansion of the highway were ongoing, pending approval.
Mbadi testified that the government has been offered a proposal by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
Treasury CS said CRBC made a joint proposal with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to fund the construction of the road.
“This is something that is still at its first stage. If I make a comment here and I am then called upon to give my endorsement, I will be prejudiced. I know the procurement process is continuing,” Mbadi revealed.
“It is a PPP project, and we are entering a partnership with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). If it is this joint venture with CRBC that has secured it, then I don’t mind. I want to see the papers before I sanction it,” he added.
