Maize millers and transporters in Western Kenya have committed to observing road safety, axle load compliance and protection of infrastructure.
This was agreed upon during a stakeholders workshop held by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA).
The sensitization workshop is aimed at addressing road safety issues, among them overloading, and transporting of unauthorized abnormal loads.
KeNHA also engaged the stakeholders in illegal parking on road shoulders a practice that has led to damage of roads and accidents that have claimed several lives.
In the new campaign, KeNHA warned truck drivers of the dangers of the practice which could attract hefty fines as per the traffic act.
The stakeholder involvement is in accordance with the Kenyan Constitution’s obligation for continual public participation.
Some transporters aired issues over excessive fines charged for non-compliance. KeNHA outlined the measures are necessary to deter transporters from destroying the valuable infrastructure in the region.
In the last 10 years, the government has embarked on an infrastructure boom to improve movement of food and goods through the Western Kenya region.
The improvement was also hailed by transporters who noted a decrease in truck maintenance costs.
