The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has called on the government to construct dedicated lanes or separate highways for goods-in-transit trailers, citing safety risks, road damage, and traffic congestion caused by heavy trucks on Kenya’s main highways.
In a statement released on October 5, the association questioned why long-haul trucks, which pay substantial tolls and taxes, continue to share narrow and worn-out roads with local traffic, despite being among the top contributors to the exchequer.
“Goods-in-transit trailers primarily handle cross-border haulage and pay substantial tolls and taxes to the government. Yet, these heavy vehicles share the same roads with local traffic, contributing to congestion, faster road deterioration, and an alarming rise in fatal crashes,” the statement read in part.
The association expressed concern over the increasing number of accidents involving fatigued truck drivers and overtaking motorists, noting that many lives have been lost due to collisions with slow-moving trailers.
“Many motorists have lost their lives in collisions or while attempting to overtake slow-moving trailers and when fatigued drivers roll over them,” the group said.
Truck-Only Highways
MAK proposed that the government gradually construct separate truck lanes, even if done “a kilometre at a time,” using a portion of the levies and taxes already collected from the haulage sector.
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The association argued that such a plan would not only improve road safety but also enhance transport efficiency for both cargo and passenger vehicles.
“How much revenue do these trucks contribute to the exchequer each month?” the statement posed, explaining the need for accountability and reinvestment of collected funds into road infrastructure.
Heavy trucks transporting goods between Kenya and its neighboring countries, such as Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, are a common sight along the Northern Corridor, often leading to gridlock and road wear.
The Motorists Association’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the high rate of road accidents in Kenya, which the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has partly attributed to poor road design and the overuse of roads by heavy commercial vehicles.
Accidents Report in Kenya 2025
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) report showed that 5,856 people were involved in road crashes between January 1 and March 31.
Also Read: Motorists Reveal Govt’s Role in Increased Road Crashes on Nairobi–Nakuru Highway
NTSA noted that the figures show a decrease of 1,908 cases compared to the same period in 2024.
Out of this, 1,139 people lost their lives, 3,316 individuals sustained serious injuries, while 2,693 suffered minor injuries.
Road crashes claimed 420 pedestrian lives in the first quarter of 2025, making them the most vulnerable road users, though the figure dropped from 434 in the same period last year.
Various crashes also killed 189 passengers and 83 drivers, both numbers lower than the 243 passengers and 94 drivers who died in 2024.
However, motorcycle crashes claimed more lives, with 301 motorcyclists dying, up from 274 the previous year.
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