Relief for transporters as govt plans more roadside stations

The government, in partnership with private investors, will expedite the construction of more roadside stations to serve as resting points for long distance transporters.

The stations are expected to provide secure parking yards for transit vehicles as well as rest facilities, restaurants and health facilities for the vehicle operators and travellers.

The initiative is part of a road safety campaign aimed at ensuring transporters and other travellers take breaks during long journeys.

“We will speed up the construction of roadside stations for long distance transporters for safety reasons,” said Deputy President William Ruto at the opening of a roadside stations investor conference in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The government also expects the stations to grow into business hubs that will create job opportunities and wealth. Mr Ruto encouraged investors to move with speed in grabbing the opportunities made available by the planned project.

Currently, only a handful of roadside stations in the country are well established including Sultan Hamud, Mlolongo and Salgaa on Mombasa Road.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last September said that plans were underway to involve the private sector in developing parking yards for petroleum product transporters on the busy northern corridor linking Mombasa to Malaba and Busia.

In the ERC deal, private sector players would provide the parking bays and earn revenue from fees levied on truck owners.

The proposed location of the parking yards would be vetted by a team of industry experts before the developer is given the go-ahead to build. The facilities will also be licensed by the ERC.

On Tuesday, ERC senior manager petroleum Edward Kinyua said that consultations were still ongoing.

Requirements

The regulator last year said that developers will be required to have a minimum land size of two acres, located not more than two kilometres from the main highway and at least one kilometre from areas of residence.

ERC further outlined that the yards should be accessible through all-weather roads, have adequate water storage and fire-fighting equipment, clean accommodation and boarding services for the drivers and alcohol-free restaurants and prayer rooms.

They should also have ample security and special facilities to administer alcohol tests for departing drivers.