A local trader has been fined Ksh13.9 million for overloading his truck with sand in a new crackdown led by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
In a statement on Monday, KeNHA said the truck with an overload of 24.7 tonnes was intercepted along Mombasa Road by a team from KeNHA Axle Load Enforcement Unit led by Senior Superintendent of Police John Gichohi.
The truck was inspected and detained at Mlolongo Weighbridge Station by KeNHA Senior Engineer, Kennedy Ndugire, of the Axle Load Control Unit.
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The agency said the owner of the truck was fined the amount under the East African Community Vehicle Load Control Act, 2016.
Addressing members of the press at the weighbridge, Ndugire said the authority had tightened the noose on overloading in a bid to safeguard roads across the country.
"The overloaded truck has attracted an overload fine of KShs.13.9 million," KeNHA said, adding, "The truck has been fined under the East African Community Vehicle Load Control Act, 2016."
Earlier in January, Ndugire warned truck operators using the Northern Corridor against overloading their vehicles, saying the offence would attract a minimum fine of Ksh45 million.
The road links land-locked East African countries to the Mombasa Port.
"Our trunk roads have cost Kenyans Ksh3 trillion. We now must protect them. If you overload your truck be ready to pay Ksh45 million as a fine or keep off the Northern Corridor," he said.
"KeNHA has spent a considerable amount of money sensitising Kenyans on the dangers of overloading. It is now time for enforcement."
