An “abnormal” wide load resembling a ship has been in transit from Mombasa on its way to Malaba and Kenyans cannot help but marvel at the rare sight on Kenyan roads, raising questions about its origin and destination.
At the center of the attention is Sifa Investments Company, which is the firm hired to haul the water vessel to its destination.
For close to two weeks now, a trailer carrying the cargo has traversed different counties, following a select route to prevent any mishaps along the way.
According to a notice published on a local daily in early February, the cargo was supposed to leave the port of Mombasa on February 8, 2024, and take 50 days to reach the border town of Malaba on March 31.
But its journey would take a different and longer route rather than the usual route from the Port City to Nairobi or to Western Kenya due to its height and other disruptions along the main highway.
As per the notice, the consignment would follow the route from KPA in Mombasa to Kokotoni, Mariakani, Voi, Mtito, Kibwezi all the way to Kitui.
At Kitui, the truck would then head towards Thika and later connect to Nakuru via the Nyeri, Nanyuki, and Nyahururu route.
From Nakuru, the consignment would then take on the Nakuru-to Malaba stretch via the towns of Salgaa, Molo, Chepitiret, Eldoret, Soi, Mois Bridge, Kitale, Webuye, and Bungoma.
Also Read: KeNHA Announces Closure of Langata Road; Issues Alternative Routes
Motorists Along the Malaba Route Urged to Take Care
In its notice, Sifa Investments had indicated that the cargo is 6.2 meters wide and 6.5 meters high.
As such, the vehicle would cause a distraction to other motorists and road users. The several underpasses, flyovers and other traffic elements on the usual route from Mombasa via Nairobi could have informed the decision to take the longer route, although the transport company did not specify.
“All road users using this road are requested to exercise extra care and caution when in the vicinity of this convoy from 08.02.2024 to 31.03.2024,” the notice read in part.
Also Read: KeNHA Announces Traffic Disruptions on Mombasa Road
Along the way, the crew handling the cargo in transit worked in collaboration with agencies including traffic police and even in some instances involved Kenya Power technicians to help clear electricity cables laying on its way.
Every town or shopping center the trailer passed through was momentarily brought to a standstill, with members of the public and bodaboda riders tracking it to take photographs of the rare spectacle in their vicinity.
With time, the photos went viral on social media with different users sharing their own experiences of the cargo described as abnormal.
Accompanying it was a special pickup truck fitted with alarm strobe lights which played a crucial role in notifying oncoming motorists about the unusual wide load behind.
For years now, Sifa has been involved in logistics of extraordinary cargo on Kenya roads including mining equipment to the Democratic Republic of Congo, United Nations (UN) military equipment, and machinery destined to various factories in the East African region.
