Weighbridges in Kenya
Mariakani and Athi River weighbridges in Kenya should be upgraded to full traffic control centres under the world Bank-funded Eastern African and Transport Facilitation project at Sh1 billion ($12.5 million) they should include installation of weigh in motion facilities on both sides the road.
The Gilgil weighbridge is being upgraded under the EU-funded Maai Mahiu-Naivasha-Lanet road project. The Government proposes to upgrade Eldoret, Webuye and Malaba weighbridges under the EU-funded rehabilitation of the Timboroa-Malaba road.
The Juja weighbridge is to be upgraded to full traffic control centre in the reconstruction of the Nairobi-Thika road funded by the Africa development Bank and the government.
The other six weighbridges are scheduled for upgrading under contracts for rehabilitation of roads. The ministry of Roads has transferred load control to the Kenya National Highways Authority. The management of weighbridges will be outsourced to private contractors
A special police unit has been proposed for axle load and heavy vehicle safety enforcement. The ministry floated tenders for installation and commissioning of the management system in 2008. Installation and implementation of computerized management systems will allow:
- Automatic entries into a database from high-speed/low-speed weigh in motion and static scales
- Connectivity with registers of vehicles and drivers to help verify data for prosecution
- Identification of repeat offenders and provision of alerts to weighbridge operators
- Monitoring operations by supervisors at the head office
- Regular calibration of weighbridges to strengthen prosecutions
Regular training of police officers and weighbridges operators on axle load control and court procedures
