Tax Row Exposes Kenyatta Family Expressway Deal
By Street News Desk | street.co.ke
Nairobi, Kenya – A heated national tax debate has unexpectedly pulled back the curtain on one of Kenya’s most controversial infrastructure projects: the Nairobi Expressway. At the center of the storm is the powerful Kenyatta family, whose business ties to the multi-billion-shilling highway have sparked renewed public outrage and demands for transparency.
The Deal Under Scrutiny
The Nairobi Expressway, stretching from Mlolongo to Westlands, was developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) and financed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). Operated under the Moja Expressway Company, the expressway was lauded as a model of modern infrastructure.
But a new wave of anti-tax protests and growing public skepticism about government spending have cast fresh light on ownership and revenue collection. Moja Expressway is reportedly linked to companies where the Kenyatta family holds substantial shares—raising questions about whether the political dynasty benefits from toll fees while the average Kenyan grapples with an increased cost of living.
Tolls and Taxes: A Double Burden?
Motorists currently pay between KSh 120 and KSh 360 to use the Expressway, depending on distance. While the government maintains the road is privately funded and therefore tolling is necessary for recouping investment, critics argue that the lack of transparency in the deal amounts to indirect taxation.
“The average Kenyan is being taxed twice—first through income and VAT, then again to drive on a public road that benefits private elites,” said economist David Ndii, who has previously criticized opaque infrastructure deals.
Political Fallout and Public Sentiment
The tax row has triggered political finger-pointing, with youth-led protests branding the Expressway as a symbol of elite capture and state collusion with political dynasties. Protesters have cited the Expressway during demonstrations, demanding a review of all PPP agreements with political family involvement.
A recent online petition calling for a public audit of the Nairobi Expressway contract gained over 100,000 signatures in less than a week. On social media, hashtags like #TollTruth and #TaxJusticeKE continue to trend as frustrations mount.
The Kenyatta Family Responds
In a rare public statement, a spokesperson for the Kenyatta family dismissed allegations of wrongdoing, stating:
“The Expressway is a product of international investment and government partnership. Any shareholding interests are within legal limits and declared in accordance with the law.”
However, the statement did little to cool public anger, especially in the wake of new finance bills that have proposed additional taxes on fuel, digital content, and mobile transactions.
What’s Next?
With a growing youth movement demanding economic justice and political accountability, the controversy around the Expressway is unlikely to fade soon. Lawmakers have hinted at opening a parliamentary probe into Kenya’s top PPP deals—many of which remain shrouded in secrecy.
For now, the Nairobi Expressway remains operational—but under the shadow of a broader national conversation about wealth, fairness, and who truly pays the price of development. Stay tuned to Street.co.ke for more news on this story.