Kenyan motorists could soon cruise at 130 kilometres per hour on major highways if MPs approve a Bill by Jude Njomo
The current allowable top speed limit on Kenyan roads is 110 kilometres per hour (kph) on motorways and on the Thika Superhighway, while the lowest is 30kph near schools and road construction sites.
The new speed limit will apply to roads with dual carriageways and those classified as Class “A” and B” in the Kenya Roads Act 2007.
Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) including buses, mini-buses, coaches, school vans, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles that are not a taxi or privately-hired vehicle are required to have built-in speed governors that limit their top speed to 80kph.
The Roads Act defines Class “A" roads as international trunk roads linking centres of international importance and crossing international boundaries or terminating at international ports.
Class “B” on the other hand is defined as national trunk roads linking nationally important centres.
If MPs approve the changes to the law, long distance PSV travellers who ply upcountry routes will get a huge reprieve due to reduced time taken for travel.
The National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) has restricted all motorists operating within boundaries of Nairobi metropolis to a speed limit of 50kph.
Speed limits in Kenya for private motor vehicles
Set up | Max speed limit |
---|---|
Near Schools and road construction | 30kph |
Urban speed limit | 50kph |
Rural speed limit | 100kph |
Single carriage highway | 100kph |
Motorway/ Super highway | 110kph |