Kenyans urged to use alternative roads after toll hike

Authorities in Kenya have advised motorists to use alternative roads in response to complaints about increased toll charges on the Nairobi Expressway, a 27km (17-mile) highway in the capital.

The government has hiked the toll fees by up to 39%, from $2.29 (£1.80) to $3.18 for the most expensive route.

The move has sparked anger in the country with some Kenyans terming the hikes excessive.

Some say the move is being imposed without public or parliamentary approval.

The toll hike comes amid rising cost of living and follows the increase in the cost of various other charges by the government last year.

“The adjustment was done based on the project agreement taking into account the depreciation of the Kenya shilling to the United States dollar since the time of gazettement of the toll rates in April 2022,” Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on Monday.

The $550m (£410m) expressway was constructed to ease traffic flows amid traffic jams that have worsened in recent years.

The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is operating the highway under a public-private partnership and charges toll fees to recover construction costs.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.