Roadside stations to be constructed in Kenya for long distance transporters

Nairobi, Kenya - Deputy President William Ruto says Kenya will construct roadside stations for long distance transporters for safety reasons.

Mr. Ruto said the roadside stations will provide secure parking yards for transit vehicles as well as rest facilities, restaurants, health facilities and petrol stations among others.

Speaking during the official opening of Roadside Stations Investor Conference held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Tuesday, the Deputy President said local communities would be able to market their products in the stations.

“We will speed up the construction of roadside stations for long distance transporters for safety reasons,” he said.

The Deputy President said the Government would always support efforts aimed at transforming the lives of its people by engaging in businesses that create jobs.

The well-known roadside stations in the country include Sultan Hamud, Mlolongo and Salgaa.

The Deputy President said the investors will construct roadside stations emulating the standards of those in developed countries.

“When travelling by road for long distances a stop of some kind is inevitable-it’s almost human nature. Whether it’s the truck driver taking goods from Nairobi to Kigali or a family trip to Mombasa, a break from the road will be required,” he said.

The Deputy President said the proposed health wellness facilities at the rest stops, will address issues of fatigue and road safety challenges.

He said such facilities will be a unique infrastructure service that addresses social issues as well as directly benefit local communities along the transport corridors.

“If we are to develop a sustainable and efficient logistics chain then Road Side Stations and Wellness Centers must be part and parcel of the Transport Infrastructure Investment. This is the case in developed economies all over the world,” added the Deputy President.

Mr. Ruto said the government is committed to working with the private sector in developing and operating these facilities along our main transport corridors and highways.

“We have already put in place Legal and Policy frameworks to promote the development of transport infrastructure in partnership with the Private sector,” he said.

The Deputy President added that the Government is also finalizing the process of contracting development of Road projects using the Private sector financing through the Annuity Scheme.

“The Road Side Stations will also double up as business centers for the local communities who will take every commercial advantage possible in and around these units. In this way we empower our people economically and provide employment,” he said.

He noted that the road sector is a good source of raw materials for industrial growth, employment, food security as well as foreign exchange.

“Our focus will be to use the road infrastructure to bring in raw materials and export finished products to create jobs and wealth for the people,” said Mr. Ruto

“We want to revise the situation where our raw materials are exported then we import the finished products back into the country if we are to create employment and wealth for our people,” said the Deputy President.

Transport acting Cabinet Secretary James Kamau said the concept of roadside stations is aimed at creating designated rest stop points for all travelling communities including truckers, traders and long distance transporters.

Mr. Kamau said once established, the rest stops will also be used as marketing centres for local communities along the highways to sell their produce and engage in arts, crafts.

Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority Executive Secretary Donat Bagula urged the investors to take advantage of the roadside stations to invest in them by harnessing its economic potentiality.

“We also ask local communities to establish market places to sell their produce in the areas to be established as roadside stations so as to improve their living standards,” said Mr. Donat.