Your Excellency, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya,

On behalf of thousands of long-distance drivers and conductors across our nation both in the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and commercial transport sector, we write to you with heavy hearts and weary bodies. We are the men and women who keep the country’s wheels turning: ferrying goods from the ports to our borders, medicines, delivering food, fuel, and essential commodities, and ensuring that patients and passengers move safely across counties.

It is estimated that over 5 million Kenyans earn their livelihood directly from driving whether as PSV operators, truck drivers, long-haul transporters, or conductors. This is not a small number. It represents a vast workforce that sustains trade, movement, and economic growth within Kenya and across our borders.

Yet despite our central role, no government in Kenya’s history has ever fully recognized our efforts in sustaining and moving the economy. We remain unseen and undervalued, even as we shoulder the risks and sacrifices that keep Kenya connected and regionally competitive.

Allow us to outline the struggles we face daily:

1. Workplace, Labour, and Mental Health Challenges
   Long-distance drivers work grueling hours, often under inhumane conditions. Many are forced to drive while exhausted, risking their lives and those of passengers. Yet, wages remain poor, salaries delayed, and contracts unregulated.
   This toxic mix has taken a heavy toll on our mental health. Depression, stress, and burnout are widespread, with little or no access to support systems. We urgently need a national framework for fair pay, humane conditions, and mental health care. Despite raising these concerns repeatedly with the Ministry of Labour, our cries have fallen on deaf ears for years. The ministry has not acted to protect us, leaving drivers to suffer in silence.
2. Inefficiency of Government Agencies
   The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Revenue Authority, and other agencies are often reactive, bureaucratic, and corrupt. Instead of supporting drivers, their inefficiency creates delays, frustrations, and financial loss. We need accountable, digitized, and transparent systems.
3. Police Harassment and Extortion
   Few experiences are as demoralizing as daily harassment from traffic police. Instead of safeguarding highways, too many officers extort drivers through arbitrary arrests and trumped-up charges. This culture drains drivers’ income and fuels corruption in the transport chain.
4. Insecurity on the Roads
   Many routes—especially in parts of North Eastern, Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and the Coast remain danger zones. Armed attacks, hijackings, and banditry have cost too many lives. We need better policing, intelligence-driven patrols, and reliable emergency responses.
5. Traffic Congestion and Long Queues
   From Mombasa port to Malaba and Busia borders, endless queues waste days, sometimes weeks. This inefficiency weakens Kenya’s competitiveness in regional trade and drains drivers physically and mentally. Modern systems of cargo clearance and decongested truck parks are long overdue.
6. Poor Infrastructure
   Pothole-ridden highways, narrow roads, and delayed projects put lives at risk and vehicles in constant disrepair. Some roads like Nairobi–Nakuru, Kisumu–Busia, and those in Northern Kenya remain death traps. We ask for durable roads, proper signage, lighting, and safe resting bays.
7. Cross-Border Brutality and Abandonment
   Many Kenyan drivers operate in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Congo, and South Sudan. Too often, they face beatings, harassment, imprisonment, and even killings with little or no diplomatic intervention. Kenya must do more to protect its citizens working in regional corridors.
8. Exclusion from Decision-Making
   Transport policies are crafted without consulting drivers. Whether on fuel pricing, highway expansions, or KeNHA, NTSA regulations, we deserve a voice at the table. Inclusion will lead to practical, people-centered solutions.
9. Health and Welfare Concerns
   The nature of our work exposes us to stress, accidents, and illnesses, yet we lack a tailored health scheme. We request an exclusive drivers’ health insurance scheme covering cross-border emergencies and mental health support, so no family is left in despair after accidents or tragedies.
10. National Recognition: A Drivers’ Week
    For too long, our contributions have gone unnoticed. We request the government, together with drivers’ leadership, to create a National Drivers’ Week to recognize, celebrate, and highlight the role of drivers. This would also provide a platform to discuss challenges and welfare improvements.

Our Humble Appeal

Mr. President, the transport sector is the backbone of our economy. Without drivers and conductors, supply chains collapse, goods stall, and the economy grinds to a halt. Yet, despite our contributions, we remain invisible seen only when tragedies strike or when levies are imposed.

We therefore appeal for your government to:

• A Presidential Drivers’ Roundtable, bringing together Drivers leadership, key ministries, and agencies.
• Review and create a minimum wage framework with clear labour protections for drivers.
• Protect Kenyan drivers abroad through stronger diplomacy and regional agreements.
• Ensure drivers’ representation in transport and labour policy-making platforms.
• Develop an exclusive drivers’ health insurance scheme covering cross-border risks, emergencies, and mental health.
• Establish a National Drivers’ Welfare and Safety Council.
• Invest in security and patrols across high-risk routes.
• Modernize port and border clearance systems.
• Fast-track road repairs and expansion projects.
• Provide mental health support and counseling services.
• Declaration of an annual National Drivers’ Week.

Your Excellency, we do not ask for luxury. We ask for dignity, fairness, protection, and safety in our work. A driver who feels protected, valued, and respected will give his best to Kenya’s growth.

The engines are running, the roads are calling, but our spirits are broken. Please hear our cry.

We respectfully look forward to your guidance and to a historic engagement between
your government and the drivers’ leadership.

Respectfully,
Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association