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Nairobi Expressway Tolls Increase Before It’s Even Opened

by Cobus van Staden
A breakdown of tolls charged to use Kenya's new Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway

Kenya’s new Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway is hiking its toll prices, even though it hasn’t opened yet. The government announced that motorists using the motorway will pay 350 Kenyan shillings ($3.03) more than previously announced, bringing the total toll to between 120 and 1,800 shillings ($1.04-$12.54), depending on the vehicle.

The increase is due to a weakening of the shilling compared to the U.S. dollar. The expressway was financed by China Road and Bridge Corporation, which will recoup its costs via tolls. This private-public partnership is aimed at reducing infrastructure-related debt, but the tolls have proven controversial among Kenyans.

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