The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Tuesday revealed that talks to introduce tolls in several highways were already in motion.

The authority listed Thika Superhighway, Nairobi Southern Bypass, and Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway among the roads that are being considered for tolling.

Others are Thika Superhighway, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, Mombasa Southern Bypass, and Dongo Kundu Bypass.

The authority, however, assured that public participation will be carried out before any decisions are made.

"The Kenya National Highways Authority appreciates the ongoing discussion around the development of a Road Tolling Policy. The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard," KeNHA announced.

"Once the Policy is finalised, it will guide which roads will be tolled. KeNHA remains committed to transparency and inclusivity throughout this process and will continue to engage with the public at every stage."

In February, the then Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had hinted that the state was considering introducing tolls across several highways.

At the time, the then CS, who has since been moved to Sports Ministry, revealed that the state was prepared to spend Ksh700 million in rolling out the project.

He added that the tolls will be aimed at raising more funds for the development of roads.  

Murkomen argued that the road development plan to cover 10,000 kilometers released in 2013 did not incorporate maintenance aspect.

The tolling of the major highways was part of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) 2023-27 Strategic Plan already in force.

When the proposal was made public, however, the project faced criticism from the public who argued that the taxes collected should be sufficient to maintain roads across the country.