- He said sugarcane transporters will be enlightened on proper and secure cane loading on tractor-trailers.
- He further said the ministry will be enforcing operating hours for cane collection points from 6 am to 6 pm.
Image: FILE
The government will not allow sugarcane tractors to be on the roads before 6 am and after 6 pm to curb accidents involving vehicles transporting cane to factories.
Ministry of Roads and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen said failure to observe operating hours has contributed to increased road accidents involving cane tractors in sugarcane growing areas.
“The ministry has scheduled sensitisation activities on sugarcane transporters and farmers beginning in March of 2024,” Murkomen said when he appeared before the Senate Plenary on Wednesday.
He said sugarcane transporters will be enlightened on proper and secure cane loading on tractor trailers to minimise obstruction, ensure visibility and prevent spillage on carriageways.
He further said the ministry will be enforcing operating hours for cane collection points from 6 am to 6 pm.
He was responding to a question by Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda who wanted the ministry to provide comprehensive data and records on road accidents involving tractors transporting sugarcane from farms to factories in sugarcane-growing areas in Kisumu since 2017.
Ojienda further wanted the ministry to state how many of the accidents are attributable to unroadworthy tractors and incompetency of drivers.
“What is the government doing to strengthen and streamline regular monitoring and enforcement of licensing of tractor drivers, as well as inspection of tractors,” Ojienda asked.
Murkomen noted that following a meeting of the Kisumu County Transport and Safety Committee held on July 5, 2023, it was noted that most accidents involving cane trucks were due to various reasons.
He said poor visibility of cane trucks, as most lack chevrons and proper lighting equipment was one of the major reasons.
He added that most drivers freewheel, especially when approaching a flyover, to gain momentum to move uphill, resulting in accidents.
“For example, the Kasagam flyover, where several sugarcane trucks have rolled over due to freewheeling. These facilities have been designed to be navigated at a certain speed. For example, the maximum speed for the Kasagam flyover is 40kmph. Thus, a driver going at any speed above the limit is at risk of causing accidents,” he explained.
The CS added that there's a need for drivers to undergo road safety training and defensive driving skills.