Motorists using the upcoming Rironi–Mau Summit Expressway will pay a base toll rate of Ksh8 per kilometre, according to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). The toll charges will increase by 1% annually to account for inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.
The proposed rate was submitted by the China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Board of Trustees, who were selected as the Preferred Proponent for the project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
“Based on comparative assessment, the Evaluation Committee concluded that the CRBC and NSSF consortium aligns with the Contracting Authority’s Output Specifications and PPP Act Cap 430 requirements with a proposed toll rate of Ksh8 per kilometre with a 1% escalation rate per annum,” KeNHA stated in a notice.
The 175-kilometre expressway will feature eight toll stations and adopt an open tolling system, allowing motorists to pay based on the distance travelled. It will also include 15 interchanges, eight footbridges, 25 kilometres of service lanes, eight wildlife crossings, 41 U-turns, 41 underpasses, and 118 bus bays to enhance safety and connectivity.
The base toll rate of Ksh8 will apply to passenger cars and small four-wheel vehicles, with the highway expected to become operational by 2028.
The National Treasury’s PPP Committee has already approved the Ksh200 billion project, paving the way for construction to begin before January 2026. The works are projected to take two years to complete.
The expressway, which starts at Rironi in Kiambu County and ends at Mau Summit in Nakuru County, will significantly reduce travel time between Nairobi and the Rift Valley region. The project will be developed and operated by the CRBC–NSSF consortium under a 30-year concession agreement.
CRBC, which also constructed the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), is expected to bring its expertise to ensure the delivery of one of Kenya’s most critical transport infrastructure projects.
