Transporters in Kajiado county have been urged to comply with the established axle load limits to avoid paying hefty fines.
Athi River Cluster Manager Willie Thuku, was speaking at a sensitization forum with Kajiado Transporters Sacco among other stakeholders.
Thuku said the Kenya National Highways (KeNHA) implemented fines to discourage transporters from violating the limits.
“These fines that detained trucks pay for breaking the law were only made to prevent overloading-related damage. The law must be carried out as it is written and this is all for the benefit of road users.”
Apart from increasing road safety, KeNHA says maintaining the axle load is key to ensuring good roads last longer.
Compliance will in turn increase investment within the region that will benefit truckers.
KeNHA Axle Load Director Michael Ngala said the Kenya Transporters Association (KTA), the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) have all been enlisted by the axle load enforcement unit to improve compliance.
KeNHA is working with transportation Saccos to pursue self-regulation in order to guarantee complete compliance.
“KeNHA will offer all support to willing Transporters. The rogue ones will however be brought under control.” Ngala added.
All vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes must be weighed at weighbridges in accordance with the East African Community (EAC) Axle Load Law, and any transporter found guilty of avoiding or circumventing a weighing station will face severe penalties.
