A directive capping overseas investments by Chinese state-owned firms has forced a dramatic restructuring of the vital Rironi-Mau Summit highway expansion, splitting the project between two contractors and creating a complex challenge for the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) over competing toll charges.

The project, a cornerstone of the Northern Corridor trade route, was divided after it became clear that a single contract would exceed a $1 billion (approx. KES 168 billion) investment ceiling that triggers a lengthy review process in Beijing. This split aims to ensure the crucial infrastructure upgrade proceeds without delay, but now saddles authorities with the task of harmonizing two different pricing models for a single stretch of road.

Navigating a Two-Tier Toll System

Under the new arrangement, a consortium of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Kenya's National Social Security Fund (NSSF) will handle the 139km section covering Nairobi-Naivasha-Gilgil and the Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha road. The remaining 94km from Gilgil to Mau Summit will be undertaken by Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International (SDRBI).

The complication arises from their initial proposals:

• The CRBC-NSSF consortium proposed a base rate of KES 8 per kilometre for passenger cars, with a 1% annual increase to account for inflation.
• SDRBI's earlier full-corridor bid had reportedly proposed a higher tariff of KES 10 per kilometre.

This discrepancy presents a significant challenge for Kenyan motorists and businesses, who now face uncertainty over the final cost of using one of the nation's most critical economic arteries. A journey from Rironi to Mau Summit could involve paying two different rates, complicating logistics and transport budgets.

The Impact on the Kenyan Wallet

For the average Kenyan, this decision has direct financial implications. The 175km journey from Rironi to Mau Summit, based on the KES 8 per kilometre rate, would cost approximately KES 1,400. Any variation or combination of the two proposed tariffs could alter this figure, impacting everyone from daily commuters to long-distance truck drivers moving goods to Uganda and beyond.

KeNHA has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the final toll rates are affordable and will be determined after further stakeholder engagement. The authority has also assured the public that alternative, non-tolled routes will remain available, a key requirement of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. President William Ruto has championed the PPP model as a way to fund major infrastructure projects without increasing national debt.

While the project split circumvents the Chinese investment hurdle and allows the much-needed expansion to proceed, the government's next move is critical. Successfully negotiating a fair and uniform tolling structure will determine whether this creative solution accelerates economic growth or places an uneven burden on the Kenyan road user.