Investor Sued Over Sh30,000 Fee to Access Runda Road

NAIROBI, February 28, 2026 – A wealthy investor linked to the iconic Village Market has been dragged to court over claims that a public road in Runda has been effectively converted into a private toll route, with motorists allegedly forced to pay Sh30,000 annually to use Palm Valley Road.

The lawsuit, filed at the Kiambu High Court on February 12, accuses the Palm North Estate Residents’ Association and GardaWorld Kenya of erecting barriers along the road and demanding payment through mandatory vehicle stickers.

The security firm, formerly known as KK Security, is said to be manning the checkpoints and restricting access to motorists who have not paid the fee.

The petitioner, Uber driver Raymond Kamau, argues that the road is a public thoroughfare linking parts of Kiambu County to Runda and surrounding estates.

In his court papers, he claims security guards routinely stop vehicles, inspect windscreens for compliance stickers and turn away non-payers, disrupting access to residential areas including Runda Mhasibu, Runda Paradise and Iguta Paradise Estate. Schools such as Brookhouse Runda and Potterhouse Senior School are also accessed through the contested route.

Kamau contends that the collection of the annual fee has no legal basis under the Kenya Roads Act and is unsupported by any gazette notice authorising the imposition of a toll.

He alleges that more than 2,000 motorists have already paid the charge, potentially generating over Sh60 million for the association.

In the petition, he seeks a declaration that Palm Valley Road is public property and cannot be subjected to unilateral privatization.

He argues that the toll violates constitutional provisions on national values, freedom of movement, property rights and fair administrative action.

He is asking the court to order an immediate halt to the collections, removal of all barriers and refunds to affected motorists.

The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport and the Attorney General have been named as respondents. Kamau has also requested that the Kiambu OCPD be directed to enforce any court orders issued in the matter.

The case has stirred heated debate online, with critics questioning how a road reportedly used openly for years could be restricted through a residents’ association arrangement.

Some activists have called for intervention by oversight bodies, including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

However, the High Court declined to certify the matter as urgent. On February 17, Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony directed that the case proceed in the normal course and scheduled a mention for April 28. The respondents have been given seven days to file responses, with written submissions to follow within 14 days for each side.

GardaWorld has not publicly commented on the dispute, though its role in enforcing the access restrictions has drawn scrutiny.

The Palm North Estate Residents’ Association has also yet to issue a formal response.

The outcome of the case is expected to test the limits of residents’ associations in regulating access to roads within gated communities and could have far-reaching implications for similar arrangements across Nairobi’s suburbs.