KeNHA steps up crackdown on overloaded trucks in Mombasa

SADIK HASSAN-KNA

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has stepped up axle load enforcement on trucks exiting Mombasa, tightening compliance measures to safeguard road infrastructure, enhance safety, and shield transporters from hefty fines across the Dongo Kundu, Mariakani, and Mtwapa weighbridge cluster.

The Dongo Kundu weighbridge, located near the Port of Mombasa and serving hundreds of trucks daily, has achieved an impressive 98.5 percent compliance rate.

This milestone is attributed to sustained sensitization of transporters at weighbridges and loading zones, where routine calibration is conducted.

The cluster is staffed by 234 officers and 79 police officers who play a critical role in enforcing axle load limits and ensuring that transporters understand the legal requirements regarding vehicle dimensions before proceeding with their journeys.

Victor Kithome, Manager of the Mariakani, Mtwapa and Dongo Kundu weighbridges and the adjacent 1,466-kilometre road network, explained that trucks fitted with lift axles must lower them when loaded.

“A truck with a lift axle keeps it raised when empty, but once loaded, the axle must be lowered to touch the ground and distribute weight evenly,” said Kithome.

He warned that operating a loaded truck with the lift axle raised transfers excess weight to other axles, resulting in overloading and accelerated road damage.

“We encourage drivers and transporters to ensure they do not operate trucks with the lift axle raised when loaded,” Kithome urged, lauding the majority of transporters for embracing compliance.

“We are strict on axle load enforcement, and transporters have gradually embraced a culture of self-regulation. They are striving to comply to avoid unnecessary delays at the weighbridge,” he said.

Axle load limits are determined by a vehicle’s axle configuration. Trucks are classified into two, three, four, and six-axle categories.

The maximum limit for two axles is 18 tons, while three-, four- and six-axle trucks are capped at 26, 30 and 50 tons respectively.

Despite the gains, the cluster faces challenges, including attempts by some truckers to evade the southern bypass by using the Jomvu route.

“As the first weighbridge cluster, compliance of most transit trucks is determined here. Other clusters may experience smoother operations, but enforcement begins at this point because overloaded trucks cannot proceed from one cluster to another,” Kithome noted.

The County Government of Mombasa was commended for supporting axle load compliance through the timely sharing of information on suspected overloaded vehicles at Cess collection points.

Anderson Wafula, Technical Manager at Ebenezer Commercial Works Limited, the firm contracted by KeNHA to manage the weighbridges, said axle limits and overload penalty schedules are clearly displayed for transporters.

He acknowledged that the cluster is currently experiencing traffic snarl-ups due to the ongoing construction of the Mariakani road, but noted that the situation is being managed administratively.

“We also have transporters who are notorious for overloading despite continuous sensitization and engagement. To address this, we deploy mobile enforcement teams to monitor feeder roads linking to the national trunk road network and the Northern Corridor,” Wafula said.