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Nairobi, Kenya: The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) now wants increased punitive action taken against truck drivers along the Northern Corridor who flout the axle load rules through overloading.
KeNHA axle load control Manager Eng. Muita Ngatia said the move is aimed at enhancing axle load limits compliance.
Ngatia was addressing sand transporters during the launch of SANTRACO Sacco Society Limited, a self-regulating Sacco in Machakos County.
“As per our proposal under the East Africa Vehicle Load Control Act, we need to increase the punitive actions for trucks found overloading 10 tonnes and above”.
Axle load control is regulated through the Traffic Act cap 403, which also stipulates penalties.
The penalties, enhanced under legal notice no. 83 of 2013, range from Sh10,000 to Sh400, 000 for gross overload of 10 tonnes and above.
Eng. Ngatia highlighted the far reaching effects overloading has caused, including destruction of roads and vehicle damage.
“Primarily, a road is supposed to last 15 years but due to gross overloading, the road will only last 5 years,” said Eng Ngatia.
So far, six Saccos have been formed by various transporters in a bid to regulate themselves and comply with the set axle load limits. They include Bumasutra, Hitmak, Njokagi, Syokasand, Dricon and the newly formed Santraco Sacco.
“Initially there was a problem with the transporters because of gross overloading, hence we decided to partner with these Saccos to inform them the dangers of overloading and advantages of self-regulation,” Eng. Ngatia said.
The Saccos are based within Machakos and Kiambu counties. These are areas which are outside the Kenya National Highways Authority Network.
Eng. Ngatia said plans are at an advanced stage to formulate ways of having an umbrella body that will cater for all the sand and construction transport Sacco’s, to aid in self-regulation as well as regulating prices of commodities and self-appraisal.
The roads authority is also set to launch two more Sacco’s; Mt Kenya Sacco and Talent Sacco in Garissa, which will increase the level of compliance in these regions.
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