The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has blamed overloaded trucks for the rapid deterioration of the Ngong-Suswa Road, following growing public concern over potholes that have developed on sections of the highway barely months after it was fully opened.
In a public notice issued on Thursday, the authority said the road was designed to carry a maximum axle load of 10 tonnes but has been subjected to trucks carrying up to 50 tonnes, accelerating the damage.
“The Ngong-Suswa road was constructed with axle load limits of up to 10 tonnes per axle; however, the road has been subjected to traffic carrying up to 50 tonnes, which has accelerated its deterioration,” KeRRA said.
The authority said the damage is more visible on the section heading towards Suswa, where heavy commercial vehicles frequently use the route.
To curb the problem, KeRRA said it has installed the Ngong-Suswa-Ewaso Kedong Virtual Weighbridge to detect overloaded trucks and enforce axle load limits.
“Offenders not complying have been arrested and charged,” the authority added.
The statement comes after photos and videos of large potholes on the road circulated widely online, with motorists questioning how a multi-billion-shilling highway could begin showing signs of wear so soon after completion.
The 66-kilometre road was fully completed and opened to traffic in December 2025 after years of delays caused by funding constraints and stalled construction. The project, which began in 2018, was built to provide an alternative route from Nairobi through Ngong to Suswa, easing congestion on the busy Nairobi-Mai Mahiu corridor.
The road has since become a popular route for motorists travelling to Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Kisii and other parts of western Kenya because it significantly cuts travel time.
KeRRA, however, dismissed claims that the road was failing due to poor construction, saying the damage was largely linked to persistent overloading by heavy trucks.
The authority said maintenance is already being carried out in phases to repair the affected sections and improve safety for motorists.
“We appeal to all road users to adhere to the stipulated load limits to ensure the safeguarding of this national road asset,” KeRRA said.
The latest explanation is expected to reignite debate over enforcement of axle load regulations, with motorists now likely to question whether stricter monitoring should have been introduced much earlier to protect one of the country’s newest highways.
