Real estate developer opens Sh350 million truck stop at Sultan Hamud

Superior Homes Managing Director Ian Henderson, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili (left) and CECM Trade, Industry and Tourism Sonnia Nzilani during the opening of Supa Stop, a modern roadside stopover complex at Sultan Hamud for long-distance truck drivers plying the Nairobi-Mombasa route. [Courtesy]

Real estate developer Superior Homes has unveiled the first roadside truck stopover complex along the Northern Corridor at Sultan Hamud on Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

The Sh350 million complex dubbed Supastop, seeks to promote road safety and provide a secure resting point for long-distance truck drivers and travelers who park along the route daily.

Supastop features modern amenities including a fuel station, parking, accommodation, restrooms, shower facilities, a health facility, convenience stores and eateries, prayer rooms and a secure truck checkpoint.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili said the facility will come in handy for truck drivers and travelers along the route.

"The significance of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, commonly known as the Northern corridor, has led to the growth of towns and market centres along the highway. The opening of this Supastop marks a significant milestone in the economic growth of this area. The human nature of providing a stop for truck drivers to rest, eat, and pray is one of a kind," she said.

Sultan Hamud is identified as a major parking spot for long-distance trucks with an estimated 300 trucks parking along the roadside every night.

It is the centre of a 145km stretch between Mtito Andei and Salama but has been lacking decent accommodation facilities for long-distance transit drivers.

Supastop is a pilot project in partnership with the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Corridor, which is mandated to guarantee free passage of transit traffic along the member states of the Northern Corridor.

Superior Homes Chief Executive Shiv Arora said the facility represents a significant upgrade in infrastructure and the logistics sector in Kenya, providing a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for long-distance truck drivers and other travellers.

“Our main drive towards putting up this development was to tap into the existing gap in the market by providing a one-stop shop for long-distance truck drivers and travellers a safe decent, and comfortable resting facility," he said.

"Our goal is to not only champion and encourage rest among long-distance truck drivers but also improve their overall experience on the road."

According to the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, human error accounts for 92 per cent of accidents along the corridor.

Superior Homes Managing Director Ian Henderson said the truck stop will aid in reducing accidents along the highway, noting that fatigue among long-distance transit drivers is a major cause.

“Road safety and security have been a major concern for drivers, passengers and cargo plying the Northern Corridor route.

"Over the years, traffic accidents caused by heavy commercial vehicles and long-distance passenger buses along the Northern Corridor have been on the rise, which has mostly been linked to long-distance driving, driver fatigue, and mechanical breakdown," he said.

The Supastop development at Sultan Hamud is Superior Homes Kenya's pilot project of 30 proposed locations along the Northern Corridor.