Economy

AfDB pushes for ban on roadside parking of trucks

trucks side

Trucks parked at a road side. FILE photo | nmg

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is pushing for a ban on roadside parking of trucks saying the habit contributes immensely to the high cost of maintaining highways.

AfDB officials want National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and Kenya National Highways Authority to partner with counties to enforce the ban.

“Trucks should not be allowed to park by roadsides and at other undesignated places because they damage the shoulders of the road,” Dr Caleb Nyamajeje, AfDB’s executive director for East African, said after he toured the Timboroa-Eldoret corridor.

“We also think these agencies should incorporate counties and surrounding business community in the fight against vandalism, which is a major challenge along the Northern Corridor.”

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The AfDB financed the rehabilitation of the now complete Timboroa–Eldoret section of the Northern Corridor at a cost of Sh5 billion.

The road, is grappling with damages caused by vandals and reckless parking of trucks. Dr Nyamajeje, however, said the opening of the road has increased Uganda-bound road traffic by 51 per cent.

The resulting efficiency has made expansion of the Mombasa-Mariakani highway even more urgent, Treasury secretary Henry Rotich said.