Long-distance bus companies ferrying thousands of Kenyans home for the Christmas holidays have been cautioned against overloading as passenger traffic surges along major transport routes.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Athi River weighbridge, Peter Njoroge the site contractor for Danka Africa (K) Limited, which manages the facility on behalf of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) reminded operators that all vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes, including passenger service vehicles (PSVs), must comply with East African Community (EAC) axle-load rules.

“Whether it is a 62-seater bus or a truck carrying goods, the scale does not discriminate,” Njoroge said during the KeNHA-organised media tour.

He noted that compliance at the Athi River weighbridge has climbed to 99 percent in recent weeks, signalling improved adherence to load limits.

In previous festive seasons, some bus operators overloaded luggage compartments and even rooftops, straining vehicle systems and increasing the risk of accidents. Njoroge said such practices are declining as KeNHA steps up efforts to protect Kenya’s Sh3 trillion road network developed over the past decade.

To strengthen cooperation, major bus operators have formed associations that regularly engage KeNHA for training, policy consultations, and calibration of onboard weighing equipment.

“We are not here to punish but to partner,” Njoroge added, explaining that flagged buses are given time to offload or redistribute excess luggage before proceeding with their journey.

Under its 2025–2030 strategic plan, KeNHA will roll out additional mobile and permanent weighbridges along key corridors to curb road damage and enhance safety.

Motorists interviewed at the Athi River station welcomed the increased enforcement, noting that it has helped reduce accidents linked to brake failure, particularly on steep terrain.