Nairobi expressway: Outrage over proposed Ksh.600 fee for commuters

A proposed plan to have commuters using the Nairobi Expressway pay Ksh. 600 has elicited angry reactions.

The expressway from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to James Gichuru is a project expected to ease traffic flow on the busy Mombasa highway.

It is part of the ongoing interventions by the Government to de-congest key roads in Nairobi.

On Wednesday, it emerged that motorists may have to pay Ksh. 600 to use the 27-km dual carriageway.

The bid is to recoup the Government’s investment and make profit through toll charges.

Majority of Kenyans have however objected the proposal with many raising questions on the benefit the road for a majority of citizens who survive on less than Ksh.600 per day.

Samson Mwanzia, a Twitter user, wondered why Kenyans should be forced to pay for something built with their tax money.

“Who bewitched Kenya? Seriously, after being taxed heavily to pay for a loan that built a road that isn’t helping Kenyans and still have to pay as if forced to use it. System ya majambazi,” he said.

Joshua Otao opined that the country has a lot of primitivity and the common mwananchi is being neglected.

“Roads for the rich funded by the poor, there is a lot of primitivity in this country where the rich privatize public service to get quality and neglect services for the common Mwananchi. Why pay taxes and pay to use the roads?” he posed.

Allan Mwathi urged people to resist the road which according to him, will be used by the rich yet it was funded by the poor.

“The rich to be financed by the poor mass. RESIST the road. That money would be enough to put a city tram that would be beneficial to everyone,” he said.

Njeri Waridi said: “We are tired of being fleeced of our hard earned monay with infrastructure that doesn’t serve us.”

“Which part of we DON’T want this expressway doesn’t this government understand?” EMungau posed.

Robert Miyawa opined: “This is not the right direction. Next we will pay for walking along that road, then pay for entering our Uhuru Park, etc. Express way is #EpressConmanship and must be stopped.”

Mirry Masai said: “We do not need this road. Wapeleke pesa ijenga barabara across the country, e.g. Pokot and North Eastern regions.”

Ben Kiilu also opined that: “This will end in tears as well. Pay Sh 600 and end up in a a gloried raised parking lot. The expressway in not the way to go,we need less cars through the city and more cycling/walking lanes.”

Others blamed Kenyans for voting in leaders who made the decision to build the expressway.

“Shshshshhhhhhhh …… nisiskie mtu akipiga kelele. Mlivotia hawa jamaa so furahieni matunda ya vitendo vyenu,” Dunda Digital said.