•With a revised focus on completing unfinished roads totaling 4,000km, CS Murkomen projects a 15-year timeline with the current budget allocation of Sh46 billion.
•As Roads CS, Murkomen highlights he faced a formidable portfolio of Sh900 billion for ongoing projects, leading to a strategic freeze on new constructions.
Image: FILE
Last month, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen proposed the installation of toll stations on major roads across the country.
This was aimed at raising more funds for the development of roads. The government projects to spend more than Sh700 billion to roll out the plan.
The CS said the government seeks to find alternative means to raise revenue for the implementation of the Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) 2023-27 Strategic Plan, hence the need to introduce toll fees on major roads.
The proposal has, however, faced criticism from the public as well as political leaders.
However, Murkomen has shed light on the critical funding challenges facing Kenya's roads sector and why the plan to dual and toll more roads is brilliant.
The Jubilee administration's ambitious road development plan of 10,000km, initiated in 2013, lacked a maintenance component, leading to the emergence of what the CS term "orphaned roads" due to increased traffic and heavy-duty vehicles.
"The current resources from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) - Sh68 billion this year - are insufficient," Murkomen emphasized, highlighting the strain on maintaining trunk roads.
Despite the increase in fuel prices, the fuel levy has remained constant since 2016, making it imperative to explore alternative funding avenues.
As Roads CS, Murkomen says he faced a formidable portfolio of Sh900 billion for ongoing projects, leading to a strategic freeze on new constructions.
However, with a revised focus on completing unfinished roads totalling 4,000km, he projects a 15-year timeline with the current budget allocation of Sh46 billion.
The solution, according to Murkomen, lies in public-private partnerships (PPPs) and tolling.
Contrary to recent criticisms, he clarified, "New tolling schemes will consider affordability, equity, and the potential impact on different segments of our society."
Going further, Murkomen dismissed misconceptions that existing roads would be tolled, asserting that toll stations would be established on new roads, allowing private investors to recoup their investments.
Murkomen championed the PPP model for its ability to attract private capital, tap into private-sector expertise, and expedite infrastructure projects efficiently.
He asserted that modest toll charges could bridge funding gaps and supplement government budgets, providing agencies with additional resources for infrastructure development.
"To deliver critical arteries such as the Rironi-Mau Summit road and other essential links, we must become more creative," Murkomen said.
The tolling system, he argued, would be inclusive, allowing pension funds, local financial institutions, and ordinary citizens to participate through the stock exchange.
In addition, Murkomen welcomed public debate on the proposed tolling system, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to address the ongoing challenges in Kenya's roads sector.