Motorists get free option on Rironi-Mau Summit highway

The government is to secure a free alternative route for motorists unwilling to pay the Sh8 per kilometre toll on the planned Rironi-Mau Summit expressway.

This is even as it selected a Chinese-backed consortium to build and operate the premium highway.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Thursday announced the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) consortium as the preferred bidder for the 175km Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit (A8) road, which will charge motorists Sh8 per km when it opens in 2028.

Critical to the project's approval is the preservation of existing road networks as toll-free alternatives, ensuring motorists retain choice in their travel options between Nairobi and Western.

The current A8 road will remain available as a free route, though it will likely experience increased congestion as the new expressway is expected to draw paying motorists away from the existing infrastructure.

“CRBC &NSSF has raised the aspect of a free alternative as being a likely contested issue and the need for NNM to be declared a Toll Road by the Cabinet Secretary (Minister),” the KeNHA brief says.

Nairobi Expressway has the free options as well, giving motorists alternative routes for those unwilling to take the traffic-free option.

Additionally, the parallel Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha (A8 South) road will see significant improvements, with sections being upgraded to dual carriageway while remaining toll-free, providing another alternative for budget-conscious travellers.

The expressway will implement an open tolling system with eight stations along the route. The Maai Mahiu stretch will have two toll stations for those who opt to pay.

“The A8 road project will start in Rironi and extend approximately 175 Km to terminate at Mau Summit, while the A8 South will branch from Rironi to Naivasha with an approximate length of 56.8 Km,” KeNHA said.

The road would also be fitted with traffic safety measures to cater to fog-prone areas and steep gradients, besides improved drainage and lighting.

The base Sh8 rate for passenger cars and 4WD vehicles will increase by one per cent annually, a slower escalation than the competing bid's proposed Sh10 per kilometre with a three per cent yearly increase.

The Evaluation Committee said there would be further public participation to determine motorists' actual willingness to pay, given the available free options.

The Sh180 billion project will operate under a 30-year concession, with the consortium bearing the traffic and revenue risk.

This means even if fewer motorists choose the toll road than projected, the private investors, not taxpayers, will absorb the financial impact.

For paying motorists, the expressway promises significant time savings, modern safety features and a 4.5km viaduct through Nakuru town that will eliminate urban congestion.

The dual four to six-lane carriageway is designed to cut travel time by hours during peak periods and seeks to solve the gridlock that has seen travellers spend nights, if not days, on the stretch.

The preservation of free alternatives is likely to temper public opposition to the toll road, though questions remain about whether the existing infrastructure will be adequately maintained to provide a genuine alternative to the modern expressway.

Economists suggest that the dual-option approach represents a balanced solution, allowing wealthier motorists and commercial operators to pay for premium services while maintaining free access for all citizens.

Before construction begins in 2026, the consortium must complete detailed environmental assessments, provide comprehensive cost breakdowns, and demonstrate how the free alternative routes will be integrated into the overall transport network.

The project approval by the PPP Committee on October 9 marks a significant step in the country’s infrastructure development, offering motorists both premium and free travel options along one of East Africa's busiest transport corridors.

The project has also been envisioned to create employment for the locals, as a core objective during the construction period, coupled with training to upskill employees.”

It would also help promote sustainable small businesses during both the construction and operation periods, besides improved safety for all users.

The project proposal is headed for negotiations for common grounds on taxes and tax exemptions, a letter of support to mitigate political and demand risks, an electronic toll collection mandate, anti-leakage safeguards, and government support for enforcement.

Discussions on land and the associated compensation matrix are also due for negotiations, including conditions precedent to handover of right of way, dispute management protocol, and reliefs for access delays.