Motorists to Pay Toll for 30 Years on New Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, KeNHA Confirms
Nairobi, Kenya – May 27, 2025 — The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced that motorists using the soon-to-be-constructed Nairobi-Nakuru highway will pay toll fees for the next 30 years. The road project, set to begin on July 1, 2025, follows a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and will span 175 kilometers from Rironi to Mau Summit.
The four-lane highway will pass through Kiambu, Nyandarua, and Nakuru counties, with toll rates determined and adjusted in accordance with the National Tolling Policy. KeNHA stated that the project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road safety, addressing longstanding issues linked to design limitations, driver behavior, and climate-related challenges.
“This project is being undertaken under the PPP Act 2021, which allows private sector involvement in infrastructure projects, including design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance,” KeNHA said in a public disclosure released on Tuesday, May 27.
KeNHA also confirmed that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has conducted an Environmental and Impact Assessment (EIA), with findings now available to the public. Regarding land use, the Authority clarified that most of the required land has been secured, with any additional acquisition to be conducted lawfully based on final design specifications.
The announcement follows President William Ruto’s directive on May 15 to begin construction within two months. The president emphasized that the dualing of the route is essential to improving safety and facilitating smoother movement of goods and passengers along the corridor.
The development also comes after a major shift in international partnership. In April, during a state visit to Beijing, President Ruto signed a new agreement with the Chinese government for the road’s construction. This deal replaced a previous Ksh190 billion arrangement with French contractors, which was terminated in March 2025 over unresolved contractual disputes under the prior administration led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
With preparatory processes complete, the highway’s construction is expected to begin on schedule, with tolling set to fund operational and maintenance costs over the next three decades.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway project is poised to significantly transform transport in central Kenya. As construction begins in July, stakeholders will closely monitor developments, especially regarding tolling rates and project milestones.
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Motorists to Pay Toll for 30 Years on New Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, KeNHA Confirms