Macharia says the billboards erected on Nairobi Southern Bypass were pre mature and unauthorized as the government is yet to come up with an elaborate policy on road tolling/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 25 – Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has ordered Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to remove the erected billboards on key roads notifying motorists of the intention to introduce road tolls.
Macharia says the billboards erected on Nairobi Southern Bypass were pre mature and unauthorized as the government is yet to come up with an elaborate policy on road tolling.
He says the action may taint the infrastructure development programme that seeks to raise more funds that will be used to modernise infrastructure in the country.
“The ministry has such directed the various implementing partners to remove the said billboards pending conclusion of infrastructure funding policy study, review and adoption of the same as well wide consultation on all key stakeholders along the said roads,” Macharia said.
Among highways set to pay once the policy is done the include Nairobi-Nakuru, Nairobi-Mombasa, Thika Superhighway and Nairobi’s Southern by-pass.
“The government engaged a consultant to advise us on an infrastructure funding policy, the consultant has concluded this study and made recommendations which are under considerations for adoption by the government,” he added.
Roads tolls had earlier been introduced in the country in the late 1980s, but were scrapped in the mid-1990s.
