Press Center | Freight Shipping Logistics News
Apr 27, 2013
General
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Three weeks ago, some truck drivers blocked the busy Mombasa road protesting at the alleged breakdown of a machine at Mariakani weighbridge and alleged graft.
Three weeks ago, some truck drivers blocked the busy Mombasa road protesting at the alleged breakdown of a machine at Mariakani weighbridge and alleged graft.
Others blocked Athi River-Nairobi road over the same allegations.
In December last year, trucks also blocked the same road to protest at the implementation of axle load measures introduced by the government five years ago.
This is despite the fact that the Kenya Transporters Association, their lobby group, had gone to court and lost an application to defer implementation of the new measures.
On the latest standoff, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officials have stated that no machines have broken down at both Mariakani and Athi River weighbridges.
Whereas the truck owners are free to exercise their democratic right to assembly, some home truths need to be stated.
The implementation of the Axle Load Limit on Kenyan roads is espoused and legalised in the Kenya Roads Act 2007. Its implementation is elucidated in the Traffic Act Cap 107, empowering traffic officers, KeNHA and other road agencies to provide technical assistance by providing weighing and logistical support in the process. The police are supposed to ensure that all vehicles comply, besides arresting offending truckers.
In fact, the KeNHA mandate explicitly singles out axle load control as one of its major functions as the custodian of the construction and maintenance of highways in Kenya.
The import of the above is that adherence of recommended axle load limit is not an option. It is a must, if the current good road network is to be maintained.
The above notwithstanding, nobody has a right to block the free movement of traffic in any part of the country, whatever the circumstances.
Unless truck drivers and their owners are oblivious of the new Traffic Act, and the consequences thereof, there is no justification for their latest actions, whatever the motivation.
Yes, we know weighbridges the world over are grey areas for graft. If indeed trucks are being coerced to give bribes, have they recorded statements with the police or alerted anti-corruption officers?
Kenyan roads are public assets, paid for and maintained by taxpayers. They are for public good and not the exclusive use by certain groups of people.
KeNHA must never relent in implementing axle load rules whatever the intensity of the noise.
Others blocked Athi River-Nairobi road over the same allegations.
In December last year, trucks also blocked the same road to protest at the implementation of axle load measures introduced by the government five years ago.
This is despite the fact that the Kenya Transporters Association, their lobby group, had gone to court and lost an application to defer implementation of the new measures.
On the latest standoff, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officials have stated that no machines have broken down at both Mariakani and Athi River weighbridges.
Whereas the truck owners are free to exercise their democratic right to assembly, some home truths need to be stated.
The implementation of the Axle Load Limit on Kenyan roads is espoused and legalised in the Kenya Roads Act 2007. Its implementation is elucidated in the Traffic Act Cap 107, empowering traffic officers, KeNHA and other road agencies to provide technical assistance by providing weighing and logistical support in the process. The police are supposed to ensure that all vehicles comply, besides arresting offending truckers.
In fact, the KeNHA mandate explicitly singles out axle load control as one of its major functions as the custodian of the construction and maintenance of highways in Kenya.
The import of the above is that adherence of recommended axle load limit is not an option. It is a must, if the current good road network is to be maintained.
The above notwithstanding, nobody has a right to block the free movement of traffic in any part of the country, whatever the circumstances.
Unless truck drivers and their owners are oblivious of the new Traffic Act, and the consequences thereof, there is no justification for their latest actions, whatever the motivation.
Yes, we know weighbridges the world over are grey areas for graft. If indeed trucks are being coerced to give bribes, have they recorded statements with the police or alerted anti-corruption officers?
Kenyan roads are public assets, paid for and maintained by taxpayers. They are for public good and not the exclusive use by certain groups of people.
KeNHA must never relent in implementing axle load rules whatever the intensity of the noise.
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