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| ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna |
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has come out to question the justification behind Kenya National and Highways Authority’s proposal to toll some major public roads.
Sifuna said it does not add up to start tolling roads that have been constructed using the taxpayers’ money.
He said if there is going to be a road tolling policy, then it should be imposed on the new roads which have not been built using Kenyan’s monies.
“I don’t know how KeNHA Kenya justifies the proposal to start tolling roads built by taxpayer money years ago. Build new toll roads mchukue pesa but you can’t start charging us for using Thika road bwana!” he said on X.
(Build new toll roads and start getting money from those but you can’t start charging us for using Thika road).
His statement comes shortly after KeNHA on Tuesday said it is considering introducing a tolling policy for some key roads across the country.
The Authority, however, said that the policy will be rolled out after going through adequate public publication.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority appreciates the ongoing discussion around the development of a Road Tolling Policy. The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard,” KeNHA said.
The Authority added that once the policy is finalised, it will guide which roads will be tolled.
Among the roads under consideration are Nairobi Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway and Thika Superhighway.
Others are the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, the Mombasa Southern Bypass and the Dongo Kundu Bypass.
KeNHA assured that it will remain committed to transparency and inclusivity throughout the process and will continue to engage with the public at every stage.
by SHARON MWENDE