Motorists using the busy Mau Summit–Malaba highway will soon be required to pay toll fees once the long-awaited expansion project is completed, in a major shift that is set to change how one of Kenya’s most important transport corridors is used.
The announcement comes as the government pushes forward with plans to upgrade the 243-kilometre road into a modern four-lane, access-controlled highway under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The project is expected to ease congestion, improve safety, and speed up the movement of goods and people along the Northern Corridor, which connects Kenya to neighbouring countries including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to recent updates from the National Treasury, the upgraded highway will not be free to use. Instead, motorists will pay toll charges to help recover construction and maintenance costs.
The road will be developed and managed through a financing arrangement involving development partners and private sector players working with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
While the exact toll rates for the Mau Summit–Malaba section have not yet been officially announced, the government has already provided a clear direction based on similar projects.
On related highways such as the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit corridor, motorists are expected to pay about Ksh8 per kilometre once construction is complete.
This means that depending on vehicle type and final tariff structure, long-distance drivers—especially truck operators—are likely to feel the biggest impact.
The government says heavy commercial vehicles will be charged differently from small private cars, reflecting their weight and road usage intensity.
The expansion of the Mau Summit–Malaba highway is part of a broader strategy to modernise key transport routes and reduce the time spent on long-distance travel.
Officials argue that the current road conditions, especially during peak hours and holiday seasons, have become costly for businesses and frustrating for motorists due to frequent congestion and delays.
Once complete, the upgraded road is expected to improve efficiency for cargo transport from the port of Mombasa through western Kenya and into regional markets.
This is seen as a critical step in strengthening trade within East Africa and beyond.
However, the introduction of toll fees has already sparked mixed reactions among road users. Some motorists welcome the idea, saying better roads will reduce fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance costs, and travel time.
Others, however, worry that the additional charges will increase the cost of living, especially for goods transported along the route.
The government maintains that tolling is necessary because the project is being financed through expensive infrastructure development arrangements that require long-term cost recovery.
Officials also argue that alternative routes will remain available for those who may not wish to use the tolled highway.
Construction planning and feasibility studies for the project are still ongoing, with full implementation expected under competitive bidding once final approvals are completed.
Authorities say the process is being structured to ensure transparency and value for money, while also attracting private investment into major infrastructure projects.
As the plans move forward, motorists are being urged to prepare for a new road-use system where paying for better quality highways becomes part of long-distance travel.
The Mau Summit–Malaba corridor, once completed, is expected to be one of the country’s most significant tolled highways, marking a major shift in Kenya’s road funding model.
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