At least three bridges along the Northern Corridor have been knocked by vehicles carrying oversized oversize cargo illegally.
Images seen by Uzalendo News reveal damaged bridge beams as a result of impact from oversized containers, which have weakened and exposed the steel reinforcements.
A loaded
truck with a projecting Cargo 4metres beyond the edge of the truck. This is
particularly dangerous to the unsuspecting public.
The government is forced to incur expensive bridge repairs as a result of the damage in order to protect them from total collapse.
The government, through the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), has been enforcing the East African Community Vehicle Load Control Act, 2016, which is intended for the area.
The Act limits the overall height of vehicles to 4.3 metres unless it is an abnormal load, in which case the Authority may provide an Exemption Permit that specifies travel times and routes to preserve public safety and road infrastructure.
However, heavy commercial vehicles hauling containers have been violating the rule, with the majority of 40-foot containers exceeding the allowable maximum height.
Citing an incident in which a lorry belonging to P.N Mashru was detained at Dongo Kundu weighbridge, KeNHA's Deputy Director in Charge of Axle Load Control, Eng. Michael Ngala, accused the transporter of violating the dimensions of its own abnormal cargo licence issued by the agency.
Eng. Ngala noted that the transporter applied for a permit whereby he was seeking to transport a cargo with 5.3 meters height which was approved by the KeNHA officials after assessment.
"After the transporter got the permit, they set off the journey but after reaching the Dongo Kundu weighbridge, our measurements to confirm compliance with the permit that we had earlier issued revealed that the height of the cargo plus the vehicle was 5. 8 meters," Eng. Ngala said adding that this was a clear violation of permit conditions which is actually against the law.
"In this particular case, the transporter was charged in court and the court found them guilty and convicted them by fining them Ksh 20, 000 each," he added.
According to Eng. Ngala, the court made it clear in its sentencing that once the vehicle has amended the license, KeNHA would release the truck.
"The transporter was then afforded another opportunity to apply for an amendment of the permit, but this had to come with another separate route location. They were to supply us with a proposed route plan which is going to ensure that the height of 5.8 meters is carried through our network without any problem," he said.
An impounded truck with wideload which obstructs the side mirror of the cabin at one of the weighbridge facilities.
Oversized cargo is transported alongside security and technical detail provided by KeNHA to ensure smooth passage and safety of other road users.
A violation of the regulation has seen innocent Kenyans lose their lives and livelihoods to the danger that irregularly placed cargo poses.
Transporters have been therefore urged to comply with the licensing procedures which is available online.