NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 1 – The Ministry of Roads and Transport has stepped up efforts to improve highway safety, backing the establishment of Road Side Stations (RSS) across major transport corridors to ensure drivers get adequate rest during long journeys.Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, speaking in Mombasa during the opening of the Inaugural Regional Highway Safety Investors Conference 2026, said the move is aimed at reducing road accidents while enhancing efficiency in the movement of goods and people.Chirchir, who was accompanied by Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, emphasized that investing in structured roadside infrastructure remains central to the government’s transport agenda.“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 we are saving lives,” said the CS.The conference, organized by the Ministry in partnership with the Kenya National Highways Authority, is bringing together regional stakeholders to explore investment opportunities in highway safety. The authority’s Director General, Eng. Luka Kimeli, is leading the discussions alongside representatives from the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, including Executive Secretary Dr. John Deng Diar Diing.Also present were Principal Secretaries Eng. Joseph Mbugua (Roads) and Mohammed Daghar (Transport), who underscored the need for enhanced road safety, sustainable infrastructure, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.The push for roadside stations follows plans unveiled by the Ministry in March to develop and regulate such facilities along major highways under the proposed Kenya Roads (Roadside Stations) Regulations, 2025.According to Chirchir, the regulations will guide the development, operationalisation, and management of roadside stations, while also setting minimum standards for services and amenities available to motorists.He noted that the framework is designed not only to improve road safety for long-distance drivers but also to enhance cargo security, streamline roadside developments, and boost revenue collection through more efficient logistics chains.“The main objective of the proposed regulations is to support the effective management and usage of highways for road users, especially long-distance travellers,” Chirchir said.The initiative is expected to play a key role in reducing fatigue-related accidents while supporting economic activity along Kenya’s major transport corridors.