Ruto Reveals How Kenya Will Save KSh58 Billion as New Highway Deal Changes Toll Charges

President William Ruto has explained how the new Rironi-Mau Summit highway agreement will save Kenya billions of shillings while delivering a longer and wider road for motorists.

Speaking on Thursday, November 12, during the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association conference in Nyali, Mombasa, Ruto compared the new agreement with the previous contract awarded to a French company in 2020.

According to the President, the previous agreement was valued at KSh249 billion and covered 175 kilometres. However, the new arrangement will cost approximately KSh191 billion and cover 210 kilometres.

This means Kenya stands to save about KSh58 billion while getting an additional 35 kilometres of road.

Ruto explained that the new design also provides for a 70-kilometre six-lane highway between Naivasha and Nakuru. Under the previous agreement, the same section was expected to have four lanes.

The President also addressed the issue of toll charges, which has attracted public attention as motorists prepare for changes along the busy highway.

Under the new arrangement, motorists are expected to pay KSh8 per kilometre compared to KSh12 per kilometre under the previous contract.

Ruto said the government decided to terminate the earlier agreement after it failed to deliver construction work for six years.

He revealed that Kenya paid the French company $50 million, approximately KSh6.4 billion, to exit the contract rather than continue with a court battle that could have cost the country between $200 million and $300 million.

The President maintained that the decision was aimed at protecting public funds and allowing the project to move forward.

He further disclosed that construction of the new highway had reached 40 per cent completion, expressing confidence that the project would remain on schedule.

Ruto also announced plans to expand major highways, including the Nairobi-Mombasa road, as well as extend the dual carriageway towards Eldoret, Malaba, Kisii and Kisumu.

He said the government was exploring alternative financing arrangements to undertake the projects without introducing additional taxes or increasing public debt.

The highway project is expected to improve transport along one of Kenya’s busiest routes, which connects Nairobi to the Rift Valley and western parts of the country.

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