Your Excellency, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya,
In our earlier open letter, we outlined the long-standing challenges long-distance drivers and conductors endure: poor roads, harassment, lack of welfare systems, and exclusion from policy-making. Unfortunately, the past two weeks have further exposed just how grave and urgent these issues are.
We bring to your attention recent events that have shaken our community and put national trade at risk.
1. The Malaba–Kanduyi Traffic Jam Crisis
For the past two consecutive weeks, the Malaba–Kanduyi corridor has been paralyzed by a traffic jam stretching nearly 20 kilometers and it is worsening by the day.
This situation arose immediately after Investments, Trade, Industry CS Lee Kinyanjui’s visit to Malaba border, yet no visible intervention has followed. Drivers remain stranded for days under harsh, unsafe conditions:
- No ablution facilities for sanitation.
- No nearby health facilities, even for emergencies.
- Poor security, exposing drivers to attacks and theft.
- Rampant overlapping and disorder, in some cases abetted by police.
- No access to essential amenities, such as eateries, safe resting bays, or proper truck stops.
- Petroleum products trucks trapped in the jam, posing a serious national disaster risk in case of fire or accidents.
Your Excellency, this is no longer simply a traffic jam, it is both a humanitarian emergency and a national security threat that demands immediate government intervention.
2. Trucks Stoned – Windscreens Broken
This month alone, five trucks have been stoned in the Malaba traffic jam, leaving windscreens shattered. Such violent attacks not only endanger lives but also cause costly property damage and delays, weakening Kenya’s position in regional trade.
3. Loss of Two Kyoga Truck Drivers
We mourn the tragic deaths of two Kyoga truck drivers in Nangeni and Malaba. One is believed to have been battling work-related mental health challenges, while the other succumbed to underlying health complications.
Their deaths highlight a critical but often ignored question: who truly cares for the health of long-distance drivers at their workplaces?
These tragedies are a painful reminder of the urgent need for:
- Comprehensive occupational health programs for drivers.
- Regular medical check-ups for long-haul operators.
- A tailored health and mental wellness scheme, so drivers are not left to suffer in silence until it is too late.
4. Busia Incident – Cables Cut on Parked Truck
On 23rd September in Busia, a driver parked his truck next to the customs gate overnight, only to discover all its cables had been cut by morning. This reckless act left him counting heavy losses and raises the urgent question: where can drivers safely park their trucks?
Kenya lacks secure, well-managed truck parking zones especially at the borders. Drivers are left vulnerable to vandalism, theft, and even violence while trying to rest after long journeys.
5. Maseno Police Officers Arrested for Theft
On 23rd September, Kenyans woke up to shocking news that eight police officers stationed at Maseno were arrested over alleged car theft.
This incident comes amid repeated reports of insecurity along the Maseno–Busia corridor, where truckers have been forced to stop, mercilessly beaten, and stripped of cargo and seals.
When those entrusted to protect us are complicit in crime, drivers are left feeling completely abandoned.
Our Appeal to You, Mr. President
Your Excellency, these tragedies and challenges cannot be separated from the broader struggles we raised in our first open letter. We therefore reiterate and expand our appeal as follows:
- Take immediate action to resolve the Malaba–Kanduyi jam, with emergency measures to provide sanitation, health services, patrols, and safe resting bays.
- Establish secure, well-lit, and policed truck parking facilities along all major highways and border towns.
- Investigate and curb truck stoning incidents, ensuring safety for drivers and cargo.
- Strengthen oversight of police conduct, punishing misconduct to restore trust.
- Deploy intelligence-led patrols and enhanced security on hotspots such as Kanduyi–Malaba, Busia, and Maseno.
- 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 (NTSA, KeNHA, KRB, etc.).
- Develop an exclusive drivers’ health insurance scheme covering cross-border risks, emergencies, and mental health.
- Establish a National Drivers’ Welfare and Safety Council to address safety, welfare, and policy matters.
- Modernize port and border clearance systems to eliminate endless queues and congestion.
- Fast-track road repairs and expansion projects, ensuring durable roads with proper signage, lighting, and safe resting bays.
- Provide mental health support and counseling services for drivers facing burnout, stress, and depression.
- Facilitate structured engagement with drivers’ leadership and stakeholders for practical solutions.
- Declare an annual National Drivers’ Week to recognize, celebrate, and reflect on the role of drivers in Kenya’s economy.
In Closing
Your Excellency, Kenya’s economy cannot move without drivers. Yet today, drivers’ lives are endangered, their health ignored, and their sacrifices overlooked.
The Malaba–Kanduyi jam, the stoning of trucks, the tragic deaths of drivers, and police-linked theft are not just “incidents.” They are urgent national concerns threatening both lives and livelihoods.
We do not ask for luxury. We ask for dignity, safety, health, and recognition. Drivers are the backbone of this economy—but right now, our backs are breaking.
We humbly urge you to act swiftly, decisively, and with compassion.
Respectfully,
Kenya’s Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association
