Treasury Eyes Tolls for Sh180 Billion Mau Summit-Malaba Highway

The National Treasury has signaled a move to introduce tolling on the road connecting Mau Summit to the Malaba border. This plan forms part of a broader strategy to involve private capital in road infrastructure.

According to a budget document, the government intends to expand the existing road into a four-lane dual carriageway. The project targets the improvement of the Northern Corridor, which serves as a vital trade artery for East Africa.

State officials estimate the total cost of the upgrade at approximately Sh180 billion. By opting for a Public-Private Partnership model, the government aims to reduce the direct burden on the exchequer.

The proposed tolling system will allow the private partner to recover construction and maintenance costs over a fixed period. This follows similar models considered for other high-traffic routes across the country.

The road is currently a two-lane highway that frequently experiences heavy congestion from long-distance trucks. These vehicles transport goods from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Safety concerns have also prompted the push for expansion. The narrow sections of the current road are known for frequent accidents, which often disrupt the flow of transit cargo for hours.

The Kenya National Highways Authority will oversee the technical aspects of the procurement. Potential bidders are expected to demonstrate financial capacity to handle the large-scale engineering requirements of the Rift Valley terrain.

This move comes at a time when President Ruto’s administration is prioritizing self-sustaining infrastructure projects. The Treasury notes that tolling provides a sustainable revenue stream for the continuous upkeep of the highway.

While the specific locations of the toll booths remain unconfirmed, the government is analyzing traffic volumes to ensure commercial viability. The goal is to provide a faster, safer alternative for motorists willing to pay a fee.

Infrastructure experts suggest that the Mau Summit-Malaba stretch is a natural candidate for tolling due to the high volume of commercial traffic. Logistics firms have long called for better roads to lower vehicle maintenance costs.

The Treasury document outlines that the project will be implemented in phases. This approach allows for manageable construction timelines while the state secures the necessary land and environmental clearances.

Recent successes with the Nairobi Expressway have bolstered the government’s confidence in the tolling model. Public reception of pay-to-use roads is changing as the benefits of reduced travel time become more apparent.

Final approvals and the official tendering process are expected to follow the conclusion of the current feasibility studies. The government maintains that the project is essential for regional economic integration.