Machakos, Kenya – April 2025
Truck drivers are the backbone of Kenya’s economy. From ferrying goods across counties to connecting regional trade corridors, long-distance drivers ensure that the nation keeps moving. Yet, while their contribution is enormous, their health needs have long been overlooked—especially in the areas of HIV, TB, Malaria, and Mental Health.
This week in Machakos, the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) joined a high-level consultative forum organized by the Kenya Red Cross Society, in partnership with North Star Alliance, NSDCC, NASCOP, and key government agencies. The forum brought together truckers’ unions, employers, and transport sector stakeholders with one key agenda: to develop a structured workplace policy that integrates HIV, TB, and Malaria health services into the trucking industry.
LoDDCA’s presence at this crucial engagement underscores our deep commitment to ensuring that drivers’ health becomes a national priority—and not just in talk, but in action.
“Truckers are not just transporters of goods—they are also carriers of dreams, responsibilities, and families. Their health must be protected, not ignored.” LoDDCA Executive Statement
The policy being developed seeks to:
- Embed HIV, TB, and Malaria services at workplace and truck stops;
- Tackle stigma and discrimination that prevents drivers from seeking care;
- Promote behavioral change and open discussions around health;
- Encourage employer-led health programs aligned with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
A Bigger Picture: LoDDCA’s Comprehensive Health Initiative
This milestone comes at a time when LoDDCA is rolling out a comprehensive healthcare program in partnership with the government. This program not only focuses on infectious diseases but also highlights an often-neglected issue in the transport sector: Mental Health.
Long-distance driving comes with long hours of isolation, chronic stress, job insecurity, and little to no psychosocial support. These factors contribute to high rates of depression, substance abuse, and burnout among drivers. As part of our broader health vision, LoDDCA is working to:
- Establish mobile wellness clinics at key transport hubs;
- Launch peer-support mental health programs;
- Train leaders within the transport sector on basic mental health first aid;
- Provide a 24/7 mental health hotline tailored to truckers’ needs.
By combining both physical and mental health support, we are redefining what it means to care for drivers holistically.
At LoDDCA, we are not just advocating for change—we are building it. We believe that a safe, healthy driver is not only more productive but also more empowered to live a dignified life. Through partnerships and policies, we will continue driving forward the health agenda for the men and women who keep our nation running.
#TruckersMatter #LoDDCAcares #HealthOnTheMove #MentalHealthMatters #UHCForAll #EndStigma #StopTB #EndHIV #MalariaFreeKenya
Photos courtesy.
