Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has cautioned the government against introducing toll charges on the expanded Rironi–Mau Summit road, warning that the move would overburden motorists and harm the economy.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 13, Nyoro said Kenyans already pay for road maintenance through levies on fuel, and adding toll fees would increase the cost of doing business and reduce economic efficiency.
“Kenyans in the Western part of Kenya deserve this road to be dualled, but it will not serve our economy when it is packaged as a business model. Tolling simply raises the cost of doing business. Motorists will pay for fuel, the road maintenance levy, and then an extra fee to use the Rironi–Mau Summit road,” the MP stated.
Nyoro urged the government to explore alternative funding options, such as privatizing state assets and selling shares in certain corporations. He proposed that selling 10 percent of the government’s 35 percent stake in Safaricom could raise Ksh100 billion to finance the project without tolling.
The 170-kilometre highway expansion, set to begin before the end of August 2025, will be implemented under a Public-Private Partnership at an estimated cost of Ksh90 billion. Once complete, it will feature a four-lane dual carriageway, expanding to six lanes in high-traffic sections.
