Otieno Blasts New Road Toll Plan
The policy establishes a tolling framework for major highways, including the Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway and the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway.
Otieno argued against the fairness of such a scheme. He believed that the Roads Maintenance Levy was already enough to fund road maintenance. Charging the drivers again, he argued, would impose an unjustifiable cost on citizens. Photo/ K24 Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
Lawyer Willis Otieno has strongly denounced the government’s plan to introduce “user pay” road charges. He called the move unnecessary and unjust.
Drivers already pay for roadwork in the Roads Maintenance Levy, added to the cost of petrol, says Otieno.
“Why must Kenyans pay twice to use roads when we are already paying a Roads Maintenance Levy per liter of petrol? That levy is meant to finance the construction and maintenance of roads,” he posted on X on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
The remarks came after Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir tabled the National Road Tolling Policy before Parliament’s Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.
The policy establishes a tolling framework for major highways, including the Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway and the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway. The proposal aims to fill funding gaps in road construction and upkeep. The strategy proposes the use of sophisticated tolling technology and public-private partnerships to ensure efficiency and transparency.
Otieno argued against the fairness of such a scheme. He believed that the Roads Maintenance Levy was already enough to fund road maintenance. Charging the drivers again, he argued, would impose an unjustifiable cost on citizens.
He warned against additional levies without responsibility lest they amplify public suspicion. He implored the government to scrutinize the existing funds and ensure their full utilization before laying new charges. He also demanded absolute openness in how both the levy and toll income is managed.
Otieno stressed the financial risk of the proposal. He argued extra tolls, on top of fuel-based charges, would increase the cost of transport. Such a cost would then pass to the consumers in the form of higher prices of goods and services. To poor households whose cost of living is already high, the impact would be staggering.
His stance reflects issues raised by the public during participation forums. Most Kenyans have required equity, transparency, exemption of vulnerable groups from tolls, and periodic policy review.
Otieno’s remarks are among the increased discourse on how to finance road infrastructure without making the citizens too heavy a burden.
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