Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) have authorised a new network of nationwide roadside rest stations, a project that seeks to enhance road safety and motorist well-being by offering designated areas for drivers to manage fatigue.
The announcement was made at the first-ever Regional Highway Safety Investors Conference in Mombasa, an event that served as a strategic forum for government leaders and private sector stakeholders to explore investment opportunities and address critical transport safety challenges.
Speaking during the summit on Tuesday, CS Chirchir noted that the government is fast-tracking Roadside Stations (RSS) to bring the nation’s transport network up to modern standards, identifying Roadside Stations as a priority project essential to the government’s broader mission of modernising transport infrastructure.
According to the CS, the project represents more than just rest stops. It is a strategic redesign of infrastructure. By blending highway safety with multifaceted transport capabilities, the stations are expected to transform the efficiency of both passenger travel and commercial transport operations.
The CS underscored the strategic importance of the 840-kilometre Northern Corridor, identifying it as the primary target for the rollout.
“As a critical link between the port of Mombasa and landlocked neighbours like Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, the route is essential for regional trade integration,” noted the CS.
He further explained that the planned stations would function as multi-purpose, focusing on driver well-being and cargo security as the government aims to create a more secure and efficient environment for the entire logistics chain.
To further this modernisation, the government is seeking partners to develop a high-tech transport ecosystem which will include everything from ICT-enabled trade systems and smart traffic monitoring to integrated logistics hubs and emergency response units situated along the nation’s busiest routes.
Supported by KeNHA, the CS championed the project as a practical intervention to save lives. He emphasised that by making it easier for drivers to take mandatory breaks, the state can significantly reduce the number of crashes caused by exhaustion.
He described the RSS project as a revolutionary initiative, an integrated hub system designed to protect drivers and goods while simultaneously driving regional economic development and operational efficiency.
Representing the maritime and logistics sector, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and other summit stakeholders emphasised that efficient logistics are the backbone of regional commerce.
They noted that enhancing transport corridors is essential for reducing operational business expenses and sharpening Kenya’s competitive edge in the global marketplace.
Furthermore, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced that once the rest stations are operational, commercial and public service vehicle (PSV) drivers will be mandated to make regular stops.
These measures are part of a broader reform package that includes compulsory medical check-ups for drivers and rigorous vehicle inspections, all aimed at bolstering safety on major transit arteries like the Nairobi–Mombasa and Nairobi–Kisumu–Malaba highways.
By Hellen Lunalo
