Weighbridges not doing enough, says KRB

By ALLAN KISIA

The Kenya Roads Board (KRB) has expressed concern over increased cases of overloading along major highways.

KRB directors said overloading by trucks was rampant despite the existence of weighbridges on major roads.

KRB Executive Director Francis Nyangaga said they were shocked to find discrepancies in records given at different weighbridges to particular trucks.

"We impounded a truck with an excess of 25 tonnes. I do not know why the truck was not seized at Mlolongo and Gilgil weighbridges on Wednesday," added Dr Nyangaga.

He said the board has since embarked on a rigorous campaign against overloading.

"We want to complement the work of Kenya National Highways Authority," he said.

overloading

He spoke during a monitoring mission at Sikata in Bungoma along Eldoret-Malaba highway.

Nyangaga said Friday’s inspection tour was to weigh the tonnage of trucks that had gone through other weighbridges.

"If we find discrepancies, then action will be taken against those who let overloaded trucks pass," he added.

Nyangaga said the board will create transparency apart from introducing electronic weighing of trucks and giving complementary support to those mandated with the work.

Board chairman Alfred Juma and board members Abdi Awale and Joel Wanyoike accompanied Nyangaga.

Several trucks were seized after the directors mounted a mobile weighbridge at Sikata.

Nyangaga said the findings will be handed over to the Government for action.

Axel Load Controls have been operational since 1970s and is currently being undertaken by the Kenyan National Highways Authority.

KRB has five static bridges at Mariakani, Athi River, Gilgil, Webuye and Isebania.

It has eight mobile bridges at Thika, Mtwapa, Maai Mahiu, Kisumu, Eldoret, Malaba, Busia and Namanga.