Kenya’s Long-Distance Truck Drivers Set Strike Date, Issues Demands
The Association for Long Distance Truck Drivers has threatened to hold demonstrations within the next 14 days if the government fails to address a surge in insecurity at Kenya’s major entry points.
While expressing their concerns, the drivers accused police officers of negligence for failing to address the issue that has resulted in the deaths of some motorists.
According to them, several truck drivers have been attacked in the last month by unknown assailants, particularly on the Kisumu-Busia Highway and the Eldoret-Malaba Highway.
They also claimed that most drivers were ambushed and left with critical injuries during a traffic jam at the Kenya-Uganda border crossing.
Kenyan truck owners are ready to step up, demanding 60% of logistics contracts currently dominated by multinationals.#DiageoHeist
— Maria (@Nyargidaktari20) September 10, 2024
White Monopoly
Kenya Transporters Association pic.twitter.com/w2mngQ34fl
The truck drivers also claimed that despite several attempts to report the incident to the nearest police stations, no tangible action was taken by officers to resolve the situation.
“We as long-distance drivers, are suffering because we travel for about 40 km without any help or facilities to relieve ourselves, this forces us to stop and find alternative ways,” commented one of the drivers.
“The surge in these theft cases is quite surprising because while ferrying the goods, the vehicles are closely monitored but once goods are taken, they can’t be traced,” commented another driver.
The drivers who spoke to the press in Busia urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to resolve the issue as soon as possible, failing which they would be forced to stage protests.
They also demanded that Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir personally visit the entry points to help resolve the escalating crisis.
The strike notice comes just two months after truck drivers issued a similar notice to the government regarding the widespread insecurity at border crossings.
In a press conference on July 14, Kenyan truckers called for diplomatic talks between the two governments to resolve the recent problems on Kenya-South Sudan roads.
Kenya’s Long-Distance Truck Drivers Set Strike Date, Issues Demands
