The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has released several garbage trucks belonging to the Kiambu County Government, which had been detained at the Juja Weighbridge.
The standoff, which culminated in protests by county officials, ended after the two parties reached an agreement.
According to Eng. Michael Ngala, KeNHA’s Deputy Director of Axle Load Control, the county government accumulated Ksh 600,000 in parking fees after delays in settling an overload fine issued on October 8, 2024.
The offending vehicle, a tipper truck hauling hardcore stones, was found to have exceeded the axle load limit by 640 kilograms and was fined USD 482.50 (Ksh 62,337).
“The fines are calculated based on the East African Community (EAC) Axle Load Control schedule, which is uniformly applied across member states. Overloading damages our roads, increasing maintenance costs,” said Eng. Ngala.
Protest at the Weighbridge
On Wednesday, Kiambu County operations officers staged a protest at the Juja Weighbridge, driving twelve trucks to the static weighbridge, blocking operations and demanding the release of their truck.
The standoff disrupted services, forcing the Axle Load Enforcement Highway Unit to impound the 12 trucks inorder for KeNHA to resume operations.
KeNHA defended its firm stance, noting that overloaded trucks are a major contributor to road deterioration, with the authority incurring billions annually in repair costs.
The agency revealed that its stringent enforcement of axle load regulations has led to a 75% reduction in road maintenance expenses over the last five years, saving the government approximately Ksh 4 billion annually.
A Warning to Offenders
KeNHA reiterated its commitment to enforcing axle load limits, emphasizing the need for compliance to preserve the country’s highway infrastructure.
“We cannot compromise on road safety and sustainability. Overloading is not only a violation of the law but a direct threat to public infrastructure,” Eng. Ngala added.
The release of the Kiambu County trucks marks the end of a heated dispute, but KeNHA warned that it would not tolerate future violations, urging all counties and transporters to adhere to axle load regulations to avoid hefty fines and operational disruptions.
