Kenya’s road freight operators are being encouraged to modify driving habits and improve fleet management to lower fuel expenses and pollution, as trucks on surveyed sections of the Northern Corridor emit an estimated 2.59 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.

Fuel accounts for roughly half of a truck’s operating costs, exposing transporters to price volatility and making efficient vehicle use essential for profitability.

The Mombasa–Nairobi stretch alone contributes about 1.58 million tonnes of CO₂‑equivalent annually, according to the 2025 Northern Corridor Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Report.

Stakeholders at a recent Mombasa workshop highlighted that regular maintenance, driver training and fuel‑consumption monitoring can reduce both costs and emissions without the need for immediate fleet replacement.

Newton Wang’oo, chair of the Kenya Transporters Association, urged companies to train drivers, track fuel use and strengthen fleet oversight, noting that each litre saved improves operating expenditure and competitiveness.

Eco‑driving techniques promoted at the training include smooth acceleration and braking, appropriate gear selection, maintaining safe speeds and avoiding unnecessary idling.

Industry estimates suggest these practices could save more than 150 litres of fuel on a 2,300‑kilometre round trip between Mombasa and Kampala.

The Northern Corridor Green Freight Strategy 2030 aims for a 10 percent improvement in freight fuel efficiency and a 10 percent reduction in CO₂‑emission intensity by the end of the decade.

The strategy also targets a 12 percent cut in particulate matter, black carbon and nitrogen oxides, while planning to train 1,000 drivers in eco‑driving and enhance climate resilience of at least 2,000 kilometres of road.

The initiative is being rolled out by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority in partnership with the Kenya Transporters Association, Smart Freight Centre and the Kuehne Climate Centre.