Motorists Warn Murkomen Over new Levies

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Chrispen

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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 –Road users have threatened to go on a countrywide strike should Ministry of Transport and Roads go ahead with plans of tolling more roads.

The Motorists Association of Kenya MAK, on Tuesday February 6, through along statement to the Transport Ministry, argued that it had not been issued with any alternative for those who will not be able to meet the tolling fees.

Led by Peter Murima, the association noted that the idea to levy more roads was not proper and lacked basis owing to the fact that those already tolled are yet to be maintained.

The association has delivered a 21-days’ notice asking Cabinet Secretary CS Kipchumba Murkomen to rescind the notice and soberly engaged stakeholders on the matter before it is rushed for implementation.

“A toll road should have an alternative for the users who do not want to use that, so it should be optional, and the option being given is being neglected,” stated Mr. Murima.

There chairperson Mr. Murima, further insisted that tolling more roads would be an inconvenience and could destabilise the transport sector by tripling taxes for users.

And due to that, motorists would resort to using feeder roads which will be quite challenging not only for them but also for the tax man who is intending to increase tax revenue through many ways.

“That is why we fear when we are told we are going to use the feeder roads where these public roads will be taken which means we have to turn around and go different paths to avoid your road which you used to enjoy. There is freedom for motoring and we are going to battle for it. Yes we are being taxed but we should see the benefits of the taxes,” added the Motorist Association chairperson.

They urged the cabinet secretary to rethink and reevaluate the whole idea based on what the stakeholders think.

Nonetheless, on Friday, January 2, Mr. Murkomen had made it clear that his ministry planned to build new highways with tolling stations, and not to interfere with existing roads.