The government will proceed with plans to upgrade Nairobi’s Thika Superhighway and introduce toll charges despite public backlash. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed the position during a national television interview on February 11.
Mbadi said the government faces persistent budget deficits that slow down major infrastructure projects. He argued that new financing models now offer the only practical path for road expansion.
He pointed to public-private partnerships as the main funding tool for upcoming highway upgrades. Under this model, private investors finance construction and recover costs through toll collection.
Mbadi said the government cannot rely only on tax revenue and borrowing to build modern highways. He explained that debt pressure already limits how much the state can borrow.
He linked the toll plan directly to traffic congestion on key transport corridors. He named Thika Road and the Athi River–Namanga Highway as priority targets.
He said traffic volumes on those routes continue to rise every year. He argued that expansion and dualling must happen quickly to avoid gridlock.
Mbadi stated that tolling creates a direct user-pay system for road development. He said drivers who benefit from better roads should help finance them.
He rejected the idea that past project mistakes should freeze current development plans. He urged Kenyans to judge each new project on its structure and transparency.
He said skepticism remains understandable but should not block new infrastructure solutions. He insisted that trust must grow through proper project execution.
Mbadi said the government plans to dual the Nairobi–Thika highway and then introduce toll stations. He predicted that many motorists would accept toll fees in exchange for smoother travel.
He also addressed the proposed Rironi–Mau Summit superhighway project during the same interview. He said planners now favor tolling only the busiest section of that corridor.
He identified the Rironi to Mau Summit stretch as the most economically viable segment. He said traffic counts show strong and consistent vehicle flow there.
He explained that high traffic volume makes toll recovery more reliable for investors. That factor increases private sector interest in the project.
He said the government will apply a capital blending strategy on the Mau Summit to Malaba extension. That approach mixes public funds with private financing support.
He said capital blending can lower the toll burden on motorists using that section. However, he made it clear that tolls will still apply.
He said lower toll rates would replace full removal of toll charges. He framed that decision as a financial necessity rather than a policy choice.
Mbadi described the Rironi–Malaba corridor as a strategic regional trade route. He noted that the road supports cargo movement to and from Uganda.
He said Uganda ranks as Kenya’s largest trading partner in the region. He argued that poor road quality along that route hurts trade efficiency.
He criticized past delays in upgrading that corridor. He said slow improvements have already increased transport costs.
He also gave an update on the proposed Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway project. He confirmed that negotiations continue with an American company.
He said government and investors continue to review technical and financial terms. He promised that officials will publish key decisions once talks conclude.
He repeated that the expressway project will also use a PPP financing structure. He said that model reduces immediate pressure on the national budget.
Mbadi stressed that toll financing supports faster delivery of large road projects. He said PPP structures shift upfront construction costs to private partners.
He argued that private financing also introduces stricter project discipline. Investors demand timelines, performance targets, and revenue clarity.
He said those demands often improve execution speed and quality control. He contrasted that with some publicly funded projects that face funding interruptions.
He acknowledged that many Kenyans oppose highway tolls on principle. He said public resistance often comes from fear of high user charges.
He responded that proper structuring can keep toll fees within reasonable levels. He said traffic studies guide toll pricing decisions.
He added that better roads also reduce fuel waste and vehicle damage. He argued that those savings can offset toll payments over time.
He said congestion currently causes heavy economic losses every day. He linked traffic jams to lost work hours and higher logistics costs.
He presented toll roads as an economic efficiency tool, not just a revenue stream. He said smoother transport networks raise national productivity.
He also noted that Kenya has used toll models before on selected roads. He said global practice widely supports toll financing for major highways.
He urged critics to compare toll costs with the price of poor infrastructure. He said bad roads impose hidden taxes through delays and repairs.
Mbadi said the Treasury will continue public communication on each toll project. He promised clearer frameworks and contract disclosures.
He said transparency will help rebuild public confidence in PPP projects. He acknowledged that secrecy in past deals damaged trust.
He stated that current officials want stronger oversight and reporting rules. He said audit and monitoring mechanisms will track each project.
He repeated that infrastructure expansion cannot stop because of funding gaps. He said population growth and urbanization continue to raise road demand.
He warned that delay today creates higher upgrade costs tomorrow. He pushed for faster financial closure on priority highways.
He said the government will move ahead even when criticism continues. He framed the decision as necessary for long-term development.
He concluded that alternative financing remains the only workable route right now. He said modern highways require modern funding structures.
The Thika Superhighway upgrade and toll rollout now sit at the center of that strategy. Government planners will advance the projects under PPP frameworks.
