Nairobi Expressway Toll Collection Revenues Exceed KES 18 Billion as Traffic Volumes Rise

The Nairobi Expressway toll highway, which opened to traffic in September 2023, has collected over KES 18 billion in toll revenues through May 2025, exceeding initial financial projections. Daily vehicle passages have grown from 285,000 in early 2024 to approximately 420,000 vehicles monthly by mid-2025, generating an average of KES 2.8 billion monthly. The concessionaire, Moja Expressway, reports positive cash flows and has met debt servicing obligations ahead of schedule, supporting the project's long-term financial sustainability.

The 27-kilometer Expressway, connecting Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi's Central Business District, has reduced travel time for commuters from 60 minutes to approximately 22 minutes during peak hours. Business associations report increased productivity gains and reduced logistics costs, benefiting retail, hospitality, and professional service sectors. However, toll rates ranging from KES 100 to 520 per journey have created accessibility challenges for low-income workers.

Informal settlements adjacent to the Expressway, including Kariobangi and Dandora, have organized protests against tolling systems they perceive as barriers to employment and commercial opportunities. Civil rights organizations argue that public infrastructure financing through regressive tolls disproportionately burdens poor households. Advocacy groups have petitioned Parliament to introduce subsidized toll passes for residents earning below KES 30,000 monthly.

The government has approved Moja Expressway's proposal to expand the Expressway southward toward the port city of Mombasa, creating a 400-kilometer toll corridor linking East Africa's major economic centers. Construction of the Nairobi-Mombasa segment is projected to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2029. This expansion is expected to generate substantial transit revenues from commercial freight vehicles and regional traffic.

Revenue from the Nairobi Expressway is allocated to retire public debt and finance other infrastructure projects under the government's Public-Private Partnership framework. The National Treasury has reported that Expressway revenues have enabled early repayment of KES 6.2 billion in road project bonds, reducing annual debt servicing costs. These savings have been redirected toward maintenance of secondary road networks in marginalized counties.

Moja Expressway has implemented digital payment systems supporting mobile money transfers, credit cards, and prepaid accounts accessible through commercial banks. The company reports that 67% of toll transactions occur through digital channels, significantly reducing cash handling and security risks. Customer satisfaction surveys indicate that 78% of users accept the toll model given reduced commute times and improved road conditions.

Future toll rate adjustments remain contentious as the National Treasury and Moja Expressway negotiate inflation adjustments contractually permitted every three years. Consumer advocates demand Parliament establish toll rate ceilings and affordability mechanisms before approving rate increases. The dispute reflects broader conversations about equitable infrastructure financing in developing economies balancing fiscal sustainability and social inclusion.