KeNHA reveals plan to roll out rest stations countrywide to curb road carnage
By Aloys Michael, April 1, 2026The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has disclosed a plan to construct roadside rest stations across the country in efforts to bolster road safety amid concerns over surging accidents.
The decision was made public on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, during the inaugural Regional Highway Safety Investors Conference held in Mombasa, where government officials and industry players converged to discuss transport safety and investment opportunities.
Speaking during the conference, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the government is prioritising the establishment of Roadside Stations (RSS) as part of efforts to modernise the country’s transport infrastructure.
“As we pursue infrastructure growth and investment, we must remain anchored on one non-negotiable principle: highway safety. Through investing in structured, secure, and serviced roadside infrastructure, we are not only protecting goods and improving transit, but we are also saving lives, and that must remain at the heart of our transport agenda,” he said.
“We are positioning Roadside Stations (RSS) as game-changing, integrated hubs that enhance driver welfare, cargo security, and logistics efficiency while stimulating local economies.”
According to Chirchir, the stations would be part of a strategic infrastructural redesign and an opportunity for multimodal transport and highway safety, which would transform highway travel and logistics operations.
He pointed out that the Northern Corridor, which runs approximately 840 kilometres from Mombasa to Malaba, remains a key economic lifeline linking Kenya to several regional markets, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which the government is prioritising for the rollout.
At the same time, Chirchir said the planned roadside stations will serve as integrated hubs designed to enhance driver welfare, boost cargo security, and improve overall logistics efficiency.
He added that the government is opening up investment opportunities in areas such as safe truck parking, smart traffic systems, logistics hubs, intermodal terminals, emergency response services, and ICT-enabled trade systems on all busy highways.
According to KeNHA, Chirchir, accompanied by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, backed the project as a practical solution to reduce fatigue-related accidents by ensuring drivers take adequate rest.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), in its submission, noted the critical role of logistics in driving regional trade, pointing out that efficient transport corridors help lower business costs and enhance competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced that drivers, particularly those operating commercial and public service vehicles, will be required to make regular stops at the planned rest stations once established.
NTSA also revealed that the reforms will include mandatory medical checks for drivers and enhanced vehicle inspections, aimed at improving road safety on major highways such as Nairobi-Mombasa and Nairobi-Kisumu-Malaba.