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 Westlands, 27 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 effective 1 January 2024 (Gazette Notice No. 17419, 19 December 2023). No further rate increase has been gazetted as of 2026. 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 (MTC) / 490 (ETC) |
| 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, effective 1 January 2024.
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 | Westlands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mlolongo | — | 250 | 250 | 250 | 330 | 410 | 410 | 500 | 500 |
| Syokimau | — | 170 | — | 250 | 330 | 330 | 410 | 410 | 500 |
| SGR | — | — | — | 170 | 250 | 330 | 330 | 410 | 410 |
| JKIA | — | — | — | 170 | 250 | 250 | 330 | 330 | 410 |
| Eastern Bypass | 250 | — | 170 | — | 170 | 250 | 250 | 330 | 410 |
| Southern Bypass | 330 | — | 250 | 170 | — | 170 | 170 | 250 | 330 |
| Capital Centre | 330 | — | 250 | 250 | 170 | — | 170 | 170 | 250 |
| Haile Selassie | 410 | — | 330 | 250 | 170 | 170 | — | 170 | 250 |
| Museum Hill | 410 | — | 330 | 330 | 250 | 170 | 170 | — | — |
| Westlands | 500 | — | 410 | 410 | 330 | 250 | 250 | 170 | — |
Class 3 MTC (cash/card/M-Pesa) rates in KES. ETC (OBU) users pay approximately KES 10 less on the longest segments. 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, effective 1 January 2024.
Common Journey Cost Examples
| Journey | Class 3 (KES) | Class 4 (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mlolongo → Westlands (full route) | 500 | 750 | Airport to Westlands; ~20 min |
| 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, M-Pesa, or cash.
1. ETC — RFID On-Board Unit (OBU):
- Fastest lane at all interchanges; OBU is read automatically as you approach the barrier
- Marginally cheaper than MTC — approximately KES 10 less on the longest routes (e.g. KES 490 vs KES 500 for Mlolongo–Westlands)
- OBU obtained from Moja Expressway Service Centre (Mombasa Road, City Cabanas area); KES 1,000 service fee + minimum KES 2,000 top-up required at registration
- Account managed via the Nairobi Expressway app, website (nairobiexpressway.ke), or USSD code *819#
- Balance displayed at the exit plaza toll screen after each transaction
2. MTC Prepaid Card:
- Contactless tap-to-pay card; available from Moja Expressway offices and select retail outlets
- Top up via M-Pesa, bank transfer, or at the Service Centre
- Same rates as cash; faster throughput than cash-only lanes
3. M-Pesa Mobile Money:
- Accepted at all MTC lanes via USSD (*334#), M-Pesa app, or QR code scan at the booth
- Kenya's dominant mobile payment platform — preferred by most Kenyan motorists
- International visitors without a Kenyan SIM can use contactless card payment instead
4. Visa / Mastercard (Debit or Credit):
- Accepted at MTC lanes; contactless payment available at most interchanges
- Practical option for international visitors who do not have a Kenyan SIM or M-Pesa account
5. Cash (Kenyan Shillings only):
- Accepted at all MTC booths; exact change recommended to reduce queue times
- Foreign currency is not accepted — exchange to KES before travelling
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 offences:
- 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 the Kenya Roads Act
- Unauthorised towing of a stalled vehicle carries a fine of KES 4,000–40,000
- Overloaded heavy vehicles may be turned away at interchange entry pending axle load compliance
- Emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire engines, police on active duty) are exempt from tolls; gates are operated manually by booth staff
Recent Changes (2026)
Toll Rates:
- Rates gazetted December 2023 (KES 170–500 for Class 3) took effect 1 January 2024, replacing the previous KES 100–360 schedule — approximately 38% higher
- No further rate increase has been gazetted as of May 2026; the concession allows annual CPI and USD/KES adjustment
Technology and Payment:
- M-Pesa QR code payment expanded to all interchanges
- Nairobi Expressway app updated with improved account balance and trip history features
- USSD *819# remains available for ETC account management without data connection
Road Network:
- The Nairobi Expressway remains Kenya's only urban tolled motorway as of 2026
- Traffic has grown from approximately 11,000 vehicles/day at launch (2022) to around 53,000 vehicles/day in 2024
- KeNHA is conducting feasibility work on additional expressway corridors; no new toll road has opened
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Airport transfer (JKIA to Westlands, Class 3): KES 410 one way
- Full-route airport transfer (Mlolongo to Westlands, Class 3): KES 500 one way
- Daily full-route commuter (Class 3, both ways): KES 1,000/day; approximately KES 20,000/month (20 working days)
- At approximately KES 130/USD, the Mlolongo–Westlands trip costs around USD 3.85 for a Class 3 vehicle
Toll-Free Alternatives:
- Mombasa Road (A109): Free parallel route; heavily congested at peak hours (6–9 AM, 4–8 PM)
- Uhuru Highway and Haile Selassie Avenue: Free surface roads through the CBD; suitable for inner-city trips
- Southern and Eastern Bypass roads: Toll-free alternatives for ring-road journeys not requiring the Expressway corridor
Peak Hour Guidance:
- Expressway travel times remain consistent at 12–20 minutes end-to-end regardless of time of day
- Booth queues at interchanges can lengthen during peak hours (7–9 AM and 5–7 PM weekdays); ETC or MTC card holders pass faster than cash payers
- Overnight (10 PM–5 AM): minimal queues at all interchanges
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. See the rate matrix above for your specific journey.
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 is KES only. However, Visa and Mastercard (debit or credit) are accepted at most MTC interchanges, so international visitors can pay without needing Kenyan cash or a local SIM card.
Is there a meaningful discount for ETC users?
The cost saving is marginal (approximately KES 10 on the longest routes). The main benefit of the ETC/OBU is faster throughput at interchanges, not a significant price reduction. Frequent commuters register for OBU primarily to reduce time spent at booths.
Are there other toll roads in Kenya besides the Nairobi Expressway?
Yes, but on a limited scale. KeNHA operates conventional toll plazas on sections of the A109 (Mombasa Road corridor). Most Kenyan national highways — including the A104 (Nairobi–Nakuru) and the A2 (Thika Road) — are currently toll-free. The Nairobi Expressway is the only fully developed urban toll motorway in Kenya.
Will toll rates increase in 2026?
The concession agreement permits annual adjustment based on CPI and the USD/KES exchange rate. The last confirmed revision was January 2024. Any new rate requires approval by the Transport Cabinet Secretary and publication in the Kenya Gazette. No increase has been gazetted as of May 2026.
Kenya vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | System Type | Coverage | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | O/D tolling (ETC + MTC); barrier gates | Nairobi Expressway + select A109 plazas | 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 | Manual booths; Kampala–Entebbe Expressway (35 km) | Single tolled expressway | UGX 5,000–15,000 per trip |
| Ghana | Manual plazas on trunk highways (GHA) | Major national roads | GHS 1–5 per plaza |
| Nigeria | Manual and electronic (Lekki Expressway) | Selected federal highways and Lagos expressways | NGN 200–1,000 per plaza |
| South Africa | SANRAL open-road tolling + manual plazas | National highways; Gauteng freeway network | ZAR 0.30–0.75/km |
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
