Kenya Toll Roads and Nairobi Expressway: Complete Guide to Rates and Payment 2026
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Kenya Toll Roads and Nairobi Expressway Complete Guide
System: Origin-destination distance-based tolling
Main Road: Nairobi Expressway (A8) — Mlolongo to James Gichuru Road Junction, 27.1 km
Operator: Moja Expressway (China Road and Bridge Corporation subsidiary) under Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Technology: Electronic Toll Collection — RFID On-Board Unit (OBU/ETC); Manual Toll Collection — MTC cards, M-Pesa, cash
Opened: May 2022 (phased); full operations July 2022
Do I Need to Use the Nairobi Expressway? 2026 Update
No, using the Nairobi Expressway is optional — but for most drivers travelling across Nairobi, it is the fastest and most predictable route. The parallel Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway remain toll-free but are heavily congested, especially during morning and evening peak hours.
Key Reality: A trip from Mlolongo (JKIA airport area) to Westlands on the free road can take 90 minutes to over two hours at peak hours. The Nairobi Expressway typically covers the same journey in 12–20 minutes. Toll booths use barrier gates — payment (ETC, MTC card, M-Pesa, or cash) is required before access is granted; there is no drive-through or licence-plate billing.
2026 Update: Current toll rates remain those gazetted in Kenya Gazette Notice No. 17419. Rates are subject to annual adjustment based on Kenya's Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the USD/KES exchange rate.
Kenya Toll Costs: Current Rates
The Nairobi Expressway uses origin-destination pricing — the toll depends on where you enter and where you exit, not on how many plazas you pass through. Rates range from KES 170 (short hops between adjacent interchanges) to KES 500 (full end-to-end, Mlolongo to Westlands) for Class 3 vehicles.
Vehicle Classes (2026)
| Class | Description | Rate Multiplier | Mlolongo–Westlands (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | Saloon cars, SUVs, double cabs, pick-ups, compact vans (2 axles, standard bonnet) | Base rate ×1.0 | 500 |
| Class 4 | Light vehicles with two axles and high bonnet (larger minibuses, light trucks) | Base rate ×1.5 | 750 |
| Class 5 | Heavy vehicles with fewer than 4 axles (medium trucks, large buses) | Base rate ×4 | 2,000 |
| Class 6 | Heavy vehicles with 4 or more axles (semi-trailers, articulated trucks) | Base rate ×5 | 2,500 |
Note: Class 1 (solo motorcycles) and Class 2 (three-wheelers/tuk-tuks) are prohibited on the Nairobi Expressway. Source: Kenya Gazette Notice No. 17419, 19 December 2023.
Class 3 Origin-Destination Rates (KES) — Current 2026
Read across the row for your entry point and down the column for your exit. The table is symmetrical — the same fare applies in both directions. A dash (—) indicates a route not available or not permitted at that interchange pair.
| From / To | Syokimau | SGR | JKIA | E. Bypass | S. Bypass | Capital Ctr | Haile Sel. | Museum Hill | The Mall | Westlands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mlolongo | — | 250 | — | 250 | 330 | 410 | 410 | 500 | — | 500 |
| Syokimau | — | 170 | — | 250 | 330 | 330 | 410 | 410 | — | 500 |
| SGR | 170 | — | — | 170 | 250 | 330 | 330 | 410 | — | 410 |
| JKIA | — | — | — | 170 | 250 | 250 | 330 | 330 | — | 410 |
| Eastern Bypass | 250 | 170 | 170 | — | 170 | 250 | 250 | 330 | — | 410 |
| Southern Bypass | 330 | 250 | 250 | 170 | — | 170 | 170 | 250 | — | 330 |
| Capital Centre | 330 | 330 | 250 | 250 | 170 | — | 170 | 170 | — | 250 |
| Haile Selassie | 410 | 330 | 330 | 250 | 170 | 170 | — | 170 | — | 250 |
| Museum Hill | 410 | 410 | 330 | 330 | 250 | 170 | 170 | — | — | 170 |
| The Mall | 500 | — | 410 | 330 | 250 | 250 | 170 | 170 | — | — |
| Westlands | 500 | — | 410 | 410 | 330 | 250 | 250 | 170 | — | — |
Class 3 base rates in KES. ETC users pay base fares while enjoying expedited lane throughput. For Class 4, multiply the base rate by 1.5; for Class 5, multiply by 4; for Class 6, multiply by 5. Source: Kenya Gazette Notice No. 17419.
Common Journey Cost Examples
| Journey | Class 3 (KES) | Class 4 (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mlolongo → Westlands (full route) | 500 | 750 | Airport to James Gichuru corridor |
| JKIA → Westlands | 410 | 615 | Airport terminal to Westlands |
| Mlolongo → Haile Selassie (CBD) | 410 | 615 | To Nairobi city centre |
| Southern Bypass → Westlands | 330 | 495 | Karen / Langata area to Westlands |
| Haile Selassie → Museum Hill | 170 | 255 | Short inner-city hop; minimum fare |
How to Pay Kenya Tolls
All Nairobi Expressway interchanges are barrier-controlled. Payment is made before the boom gate lifts. Two main systems are in use: ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) with an RFID On-Board Unit (OBU), and MTC (Manual Toll Collection) using a prepaid card, Mobile Money, or cash.
1. ETC — RFID On-Board Unit (OBU):
- Fastest lane at all interchanges; OBU is read automatically as you approach the barrier
- Account managed via the official Nairobi Expressway mobile application, website, or USSD code *819#
- Balance is updated and displayed at the exit plaza toll screen after each transaction
2. MTC Prepaid Card:
- Contactless tap-to-pay card available directly from official Moja Expressway service points
- Top up easily through approved channels including the Nairobi Expressway app, USSD, website, and authorized partner institutions like Stanbic, Standard Chartered, and Loop Go
3. Mobile Money (M-Pesa):
- Accepted at MTC lanes using mobile money vouchers, USSD prompts, or scanning QR codes provided at the toll booths
4. Cash (Kenyan Shillings only):
- Accepted at manual toll booths; exact change is recommended to prevent lane congestion
- Foreign currency is not accepted at toll booths
To calculate toll costs for your specific Nairobi Expressway journey, use the TollGuru Kenya toll calculator:
Enforcement & Penalties
All Nairobi Expressway interchanges are barrier-controlled. A physical boom gate blocks access until payment is confirmed — there is no drive-through option and no licence-plate billing system. CCTV cameras monitor all entry and exit points.
Prohibited vehicles and safety protocols:
- Solo motorcycles (Class 1) and three-wheelers (Class 2) are not permitted on the Expressway
- Deliberately damaging or bypassing boom gates is a criminal offence under applicable traffic and road laws
- Unauthorized towing or obstruction on the motorway is strictly managed by expressway safety teams
- Overloaded heavy vehicles are restricted from entering per national axle load compliance regulations
Recent Changes (2026)
Toll Rates and Infrastructure:
- The newly completed Haile Selassie Exit Plaza officially opened in January 2024 to enhance commuter access into the CBD
- Rates remain anchored on the official gazette schedule, subject to routine regulatory reviews by KeNHA and the operator
Technology and Payment:
- Enhanced mobile money voucher integration and USSD code (*819#) updates have streamlined account recharges
Road Network:
- The Nairobi Expressway corridor spans 27.1 km connecting Mlolongo through to the James Gichuru Road Junction
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Airport transfer (JKIA to Westlands, Class 3): KES 410 one way
- Full-route transfer (Mlolongo to Westlands, Class 3): KES 500 one way
- Daily commuter budgeting should account for origin-destination distance pricing across your specific entry and exit points
Toll-Free Alternatives:
- Mombasa Road (A109): Free parallel surface route; subject to heavy commuter traffic during peak hours
- Uhuru Highway and Haile Selassie Avenue: Free surface roads through the central business district
- Southern and Eastern Bypass roads: Toll-free regional bypass options
Peak Hour Guidance:
- Expressway transit times are significantly faster than surface roads, though interchange toll booths can experience short queue build-ups during morning and evening rush hours
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the toll calculated — do I pay at every interchange I pass?
No. The Nairobi Expressway uses origin-destination pricing: you pay a single fare based on where you enter and where you exit. You are not charged separately at every interchange you pass through. The fare is determined at your exit point.
Can I use the Nairobi Expressway on a motorcycle?
No. Solo motorcycles (Class 1) and three-wheelers such as tuk-tuks (Class 2) are prohibited for safety reasons. The road is restricted to four-wheeled vehicles and above (Class 3 and higher).
Can I pay with US dollars or other foreign currency?
No — cash payments at toll booths are accepted in Kenyan Shillings (KES) only. Foreign currencies are not accepted.
How do I manage my ETC account or top up my MTC card?
You can manage your ETC On-Board Unit and top up your MTC card using the official Nairobi Expressway mobile application, the official website, USSD code *819#, or via authorized banking partners such as Stanbic, Standard Chartered, and Loop Go.
Are there other toll roads in Kenya?
The Nairobi Expressway is the primary operational tolled urban motorway in Kenya under KeNHA oversight, while government feasibility studies continue for other future highway corridors.
Kenya vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | System Type | Coverage | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | O/D tolling (ETC + MTC); barrier gates | Nairobi Expressway (27.1 km) | KES 170–500 per trip (Class 3) |
| Tanzania | Manual toll plazas, cash (TANROADS) | Major national trunk roads | TZS 1,000–5,000 per plaza |
| Uganda | Cash + Upesi Card (barrier) | 1 expressway (51 km) | UGX 5,000 per trip |
| Ghana | Electronic system (concession approved) | 20-year PPP concession | Currently toll-free; design active |
| Nigeria | Active federal tolling (Abuja-Makurdi) | Cashless POS payments | ₦500 for cars |
| South Africa | Electronic + cash (barrier) | National toll routes (SANRAL) | ZAR 22–78 per plaza |
Official Resources
- Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) — national toll road oversight, concession management, and Kenya Gazette rate notices
- Moja Expressway (nairobiexpressway.ke) — official Nairobi Expressway operator; toll rates, interchange map, OBU registration, and account management
- M-Pesa by Safaricom — mobile money payment accepted at all Nairobi Expressway MTC lanes
- National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) — vehicle classification, road safety, and licensing authority
