NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 7 – The Nairobi Expressway operator has collected approximately Sh2 billion in toll fees since the road was launched in July last year, Moja Expressway CEO Steve Zhao has revealed.
Speaking during an event to mark a milestone of 10 million vehicles using the Expressway, Zhao revealed that on average people spend Sh200 from one exit point to another and after crossing the 10 million users mark, collections can be approximated at Sh2 billion.
Zhao said that the increased uptake is a sign that the expressway is a reliable and efficient route in the existing transport environment in the capital city.
“On average 50,000 vehicles make use of the Expressway every working day which is a five-time increment from the beginning of the trial of the structure in May last year, this shows the increased preference by Kenyans to use the expressway,” said Xhao.
The CEO revealed that they have successfully piloted the use of M-pesa for payments of toll charges with the rollout expected soon.
The move is expected to drive more users to the Expressway by increasing the options for payment.
Currently, motorists have three payment options; the Manual Toll Collection (MTC) card, the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) service, as well as cash payment.
On his part, Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) Director General Kung’u Ndung’u, said the expressway has been a game changer in Kenya’s infrastructure offering providing seamless connectivity and decongesting roads in Nairobi.
Ndungu noted that the government is still working towards completing recarpeting Mombasa road which was partly dilapidated during the construction of the expressway.
“We are still working on rehabilitating Mombasa road, as for pedestrian crossings currently we have three footbridges and we plan to erect three more of these to ease movement,” he said.
The DG also noted that plans are still underway to develop a Nairobi CBD exit to make use of the Expressway easier.
On public service vehicles, commonly known as matatus using the expressway, the DG noted that it is an area they are looking at.
“We are looking at how to reorganize the traffic rules on the expressway to get safe movement so as to allow all members of the public to enjoy the road,” he said.
Frequent users of the Nairobi Expressway who spoke to Capital Business hailed the infrastructure saying it has really helped on saving time and easing connectivity in the capital city of Nairobi.
Businessman Kalbesh Solanki who uses the expressway daily hailed the road saying it has had a significant impact on his daily errands.
As for Pamela Ondieki, head of Sales Golden Tulip hotel, she said the expressway has really opened up the Westlands area giving them better business and more visitors as the road has eased connectivity.
“In the past, we would rarely get business from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(JKIA), now we are now getting more visitors in our hotel directly from the airport thanks to the Expressway,” she said.
The 87 billion Shillings Expressway was launched by the former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The road has 11 tolling stations, 54 toll plazas and 54 cameras along the 27km expressway, with 126 cameras inside the toll plazas.
The dual carriageway has 11 interchanges at Mlolongo, Standard Gauge Railway, JKIA, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass, Capital Centre, Haile Selassie Avenue, Museum Hill, Westlands, and James Gichuru Road.
