Kenya: COFEK Moves to Block Proposed Nairobi-Nakuru Highway Toll

What the report says

AllAfrica, citing Capital FM, reports that the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has filed a court petition seeking to stop the government’s proposed toll of Sh8 per kilometre on the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit and Rironi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha highways. The roads are among Kenya’s busiest links between Nairobi, the Rift Valley and western Kenya, and form part of the Northern Corridor used by passenger vehicles and freight trucks.

According to the report, COFEK wants the tolling plan suspended while its constitutional petition is heard. The consumer lobby argues that the proposed charges raise legal and public-interest concerns, especially for motorists already paying for fuel, insurance, maintenance and statutory road-related levies. The government, through state lawyers, has asked the court to reject the case, saying a similar challenge is already before another court and that multiple proceedings could create conflicting decisions.

The proposed toll would charge motorists based on distance travelled on the affected upgraded road sections. Authorities say such user fees are intended to recover infrastructure investment costs and support maintenance and future expansion, in line with Kenya’s wider use of public-private partnership models to finance major projects amid fiscal pressure.

The dispute matters because the court’s decision could shape how Kenya proceeds with toll roads and broader road-financing policy. Supporters of tolling argue it can provide a dedicated funding stream for highway upkeep, while critics warn it may increase transport costs and feed into higher prices for goods and services. The High Court is expected to decide whether COFEK’s case can proceed or should be struck out because of the parallel litigation.