To stop the massive damage of road infrastructure in the Nyanza region, the Kenya National Highways Agency (KENHA) has launched a crackdown on illegal sugarcane carriers.

This comes after a dramatic increase in incidents, including crashes involving sugarcane trucks and lorries that left a path of devastation on the Authority's vital infrastructure.

The free hand granted to the carriers by the sugar millers made it difficult for them to monitor and check on their activities on the road when moving cane, according to KENHA Nyanza Regional Director, Eng. Julius Mak'oderoh.

“The sugar millers have outsourced this service by contracting the transporters. When we approach them on these issues they claim that they have no control,” he said.

The drivers, he said, were fond of freewheeling, especially when approaching a fly-over to gain momentum to move uphill resulting in accidents.

He specifically pointed out the Kasagam flyover, where a number of sugar cane trucks have rolled due to freewheeling.

“These facilities have been designed to be navigated at a certain speed. For example, the maximum speed for Kasagam fly-over is 40kmph. So a driver doing any speed above the limit is at risk of causing accidents,” he said.

Mak'oderoh claimed that KENHA has ordered the sugar millers to control the cane delivery services they have contracted with in the area in order to restore order and protect the local road system.

He claimed that in order to make sure the rogue transporters adhere to the established regulations, Agency officials had launched a crackdown on them.


Observing operation hours is one of the rules that will be enforced, and no sugarcane trucks will be permitted on the road before 6 am or after 6 pm.

Other methods include enforcing traffic regulations to the letter and controlling littering, which has come to be associated with cane transportation.

“We have directed them to strap the sugar cane to avoid littering. Those found contravening these regulations will be apprehended and taken to court,” he said.

KENHA, he disclosed, continues to experience cases of vandalism in the area, adding that the patrol teams have rolled out a robust program to rein in on the vandals.

The vandals, he said, target metallic guard rails, street lights and signage along the 1,500 kilometers of road under KENHA in the Nyanza region.

Efforts to replace metal with plastic, he said, have been futile since the vandals still destroy them.