Aston Lukoye
The Minister of Public Transport and Infrastructure Kipchumba Mukromen has come out and strongly defended the new payment fees for the use of the modern Expressway in Nairobi.
Murkomen, through his X page, asked those who complain of feeling victimized by the new fees to use alternative roads that are not charged for use.
This is after many Kenyans complained on social media immediately after the new fees were published in the official government gazette, which is an increase of up to 38.9 percent from the previous fees that have been implemented since the launch of the road about two years ago.
Murkomen said the road does not attract a lot of traffic and therefore those who feel the fees are high then they have the option of using another road.
“The good thing about the express way first is that the Kenyan government not guarantee the volume of traffic otherwise the taxpayer would now be paying a lot due to the interest collected and inflation as well as the difference that has not been achieved due to low traffic flow. Second, the user has an alternative that is free of charge,” Murkomen wrote.
Referring to the new fees, the minister explained they had to be increased due to inflation but also the Kenyan shilling losing stability against the US dollar.
“If you take the maximum rate which is from 360 to 500, you will get a difference of 140 Shillings. If you divide Kshs 140 by Kshs 360 and multiply by 100, you will get 38.89%. Now the last adjustment was made when one dollar was equal to Kshs 113.14. Now the dollar is Ksh 157 and using the same method ie 157 minus 113 which is equal to 44. Divide 44 by 113 and multiply by 100 and you will get 38.9%. So the increase is proportional,” he explained.
In the new rates, motorists entering Mlolongo Expressway and exiting the SGR station and Eastern ByPass will have to pay Ksh.250 from the current Ksh.100, while those exiting the Southern Bypass Road will pay Ksh.330 from Ksh. .210.
In the same route, vehicles coming from Capital Hill station and Haile Selassie will pay Ksh.410 from Ksh.210.
Exits at Museum Hill, The Mall and Nairobi Westland station will attract a rate of Ksh.500 from Ksh.310.
The rates will also apply to motorists traveling via the opposite route from the Nairobi Westlands entry point to the Mlolongo exit point.
The short route from Syokimau to SGR station and those from SGR and JKIA station to Eastern Bypass will cost drivers Ksh.170 from Ksh.100
