The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched a fresh crackdown targeting sugarcane transporters operating under unsafe conditions, particularly along highways in Western Kenya.
In a statement released on Sunday, the authority highlighted growing concerns over tractors ferrying sugarcane with faulty lighting systems, unroadworthy bodies, and loads exceeding the legal height limit. These violations are reportedly more common during nighttime when visibility is low, increasing the risk of accidents.
KeNHA warned that bulky cane loads extending beyond permissible dimensions pose significant dangers to both motorists and pedestrians. “Night-time movement of these tractors without proper reflective markings or functioning headlights greatly increases accident risks,” the statement read.
In a recent enforcement operation, KeNHA’s Busia Weighbridge mobile team intercepted a tractor on the Kisumu–Busia Road transporting sugarcane stacked five metres high, surpassing the legal limit of 4.2 metres. The driver is set to be charged under Section 55(2) as read with Section 58(1) of the Traffic Act, Cap 403, when he appears in the Busia Law Court on Monday, November 24, 2025.
The authority emphasized its commitment to strict enforcement of traffic and vehicle load regulations to protect road users and preserve road infrastructure.
The crackdown coincides with nationwide efforts by Kenya’s enforcement agencies, including the National Police Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), to curb the rise in road accidents, particularly ahead of the festive season.
On November 16, NTSA announced that thousands of drivers would undergo retesting before the December holidays, following reports of a 2.6 per cent increase in road crash victims in 2025 compared to 2024. The retesting will focus on drivers flagged through enforcement operations and the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS) to ensure road competence.
KeNHA’s intensified enforcement highlights the urgent need for compliance with road safety rules, particularly for sugarcane transporters operating along busy Western Kenya highways.
