The Nairobi Expressway has become one of the most recognisable pieces of transport infrastructure in Kenya. Built to provide a faster alternative to the heavily congested Mombasa Road corridor, the road has changed how many motorists travel between Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
But the Expressway is still evolving. New access points, changes in payment options, growing traffic volumes and questions about the road's revenue and future expansion continue to put it in the spotlight.
If you use the Nairobi Expressway regularly or are planning to use it for the first time here are 10 things worth knowing in 2026.
1. The Nairobi Expressway connects Nairobi with the Mombasa Road corridor
The Nairobi Expressway runs from the Nairobi area toward Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and connects with the wider Mombasa Road transport corridor.
Its main attraction is simple: motorists can pay a toll to use a faster, controlled-access road rather than relying entirely on the often-congested surface routes.
For people travelling between the airport, the city centre and areas along Mombasa Road, the Expressway can save considerable time when traffic on the alternative routes is heavy.
2. The road continues to receive new access improvements
One of the latest developments is the opening of a new Haile Selassie Exit.
The Nairobi Expressway operator announced the new exit on September 7, 2026, saying it is intended to provide more convenient access into Nairobi's central business district.
This matters because an expressway is only as useful as its connections to the destinations people actually want to reach.
Additional entry and exit points can give motorists more options and potentially reduce unnecessary circulation through other busy parts of the city.
3. Motorists have several ways to pay toll fees
Cash is no longer the only way to pay for using the Expressway.
The Nairobi Expressway provides several payment options, including Electronic Toll Collection (ETC), an MTC Card and cash. The operator has also announced mobile-money payment through its new MOJA Tollpay service.
That is particularly useful for occasional users who do not have an ETC setup or toll card.
For regular motorists, electronic payment can also make repeated journeys more convenient.
4. The Expressway is designed for non-stop cashless access
The road operator promotes ETC as a way of accessing the Expressway without stopping to make a traditional toll payment.
For frequent users, this can make the experience considerably smoother.
The Nairobi Expressway's official platform currently provides information about ETC services, OBU installation, toll rates, safety notices, maps and payment methods.
Motorists should therefore check the official information before making assumptions about current toll arrangements.
5. The road has become a major source of toll revenue
The Expressway is not only a transport project; it is also a significant commercial infrastructure asset.
Recent reporting indicates that the road generated about KSh3.9 billion in toll revenue during the first half of 2026, equivalent to roughly KSh21.7 million per day.
Those numbers demonstrate just how much traffic the road handles.
They also explain why the Expressway remains an important subject whenever Kenya's infrastructure financing, public-private partnerships and transport investment are discussed.
6. It is not always the fastest option
Paying a toll does not guarantee that every journey will be completely free of delays.
Traffic can still build up around entry points, exits, connecting roads and major destinations.
An accident, road incident or unusually high traffic volume can also affect journey times.
7. Safety remains an important consideration
Recent reports have also highlighted security concerns involving motorists on parts of the Expressway.
That makes basic road awareness important.
Drivers should avoid stopping unnecessarily in isolated locations, should follow official instructions when incidents occur and should use designated service areas or exits when they need assistance.
The safest approach is to treat the Expressway as a controlled-access highway rather than an ordinary city street.
8. The Expressway is closely connected to Nairobi's wider transport system
The road does not operate in isolation.
Its effectiveness depends on what happens on Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, Waiyaki Way, city-centre roads, airport access routes and other connecting corridors.
This is why a new exit such as Haile Selassie can matter beyond the Expressway itself.
Improving the final connection between a high-speed road and the city can influence the overall journey, not just the time spent on the toll road.
9. The road is part of Kenya's bigger push for modern transport infrastructure
The Nairobi Expressway is one piece of a much broader infrastructure programme.
Kenya is also pursuing major road projects beyond Nairobi, including the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit corridor. Current plans indicate that construction on the Rironi–Naivasha section is targeted for completion by December 2026, with the wider project expected later.
10. The Expressway is likely to remain important as Nairobi grows
Nairobi's population, business activity and vehicle ownership continue to put pressure on existing roads.
That makes fast, reliable transport corridors increasingly valuable.
The real test for the Nairobi Expressway will not simply be how many cars use it. It will be whether it continues to improve journey reliability, integrates effectively with other roads and provides enough value to motorists who pay to use it.
For anyone travelling through Nairobi, the Expressway is therefore worth watching, not simply because it is a toll road, but because it is becoming an increasingly important part of the city's transport network.
