Truck Drivers Demand Urgent Talks with President Ruto
Kenya’s long-distance truck drivers and conductors have issued a strong appeal to President William Ruto, urging him to sit down with them for urgent roundtable talks to address what they describe as deep-rooted problems in the country’s transport sector.
Through a hard-hitting open letter, the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association accused successive governments of neglecting their welfare, overlooking the challenges they face, and failing to improve working conditions.
They pointed out issues such as insecurity on the roads, poor pay, exploitation, lack of contracts, and constant harassment, which they say have made the profession unbearable.
“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 huge contributions, we remain invisible, only noticed when tragedies happen or when new taxes and levies are introduced,” the letter reads in part.
The association is now appealing for what they are calling a Presidential Drivers’ Roundtable — a forum that would bring together drivers’ representatives, key government ministries, and state agencies to openly discuss challenges facing the industry and find lasting solutions.
The letter gave a grim picture of the daily struggles on Kenyan roads. It revealed that many drivers endure extremely long working hours, face delays in payment, or are forced to work without contracts and job protections.
According to the association, the stressful conditions have also taken a toll on the drivers’ mental health, with many suffering silently without access to counselling or support systems.
The truckers accused the Ministry of Labour of turning a blind eye to their plight, saying thousands of drivers continue to operate under “inhumane conditions” without clear rights or a legal framework to protect them.
In addition, they singled out state agencies such as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), accusing them of inefficiency, corruption, and exploiting drivers instead of supporting them.
“Despite being the ones who keep Kenya’s economy moving, no government in our history has fully recognised our contribution.
We remain undervalued and overlooked, even though we take on the risks and sacrifices that ensure Kenya remains connected and competitive in the region,” the truck drivers noted.
The letter also highlighted the dangers along major routes, especially in North Eastern, Rift Valley, Nyanza, and parts of the Coast, where truck drivers are often exposed to hijackings, violent attacks, and insecurity.
On top of this, they accused rogue police officers of harassing them with fake charges, arbitrary arrests, and routine extortion.
As part of their demands, the truck drivers not only want the President to listen to their concerns through a national roundtable meeting, but they are also calling for the government to introduce an official National Drivers’ Week.
This, they said, would serve as a way of recognising and celebrating the vital role drivers play in powering Kenya’s economy.
“Without drivers and conductors, supply chains collapse, goods stall, and the economy grinds to a halt,” the association stressed again. “But in spite of our sacrifices, we remain invisible — only noticed when tragedy strikes or when new levies are imposed.”
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